Dying with dignity

The SC’s decision allowing the plea for passive euthanasia filed by 31-year-old Harish Rana’s family, after noting his condition had shown no improvement despite years of treatment, makes for good judgement. This could be the first instance of the Court passing such a judgement in an individual case, following its 2018 judgement which laid down the law allowing passive euthanasia. In India, active euthanasia is considered murder or culpable homicide under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Hence, the SC recognises only passive euthanasia, upholding the “right to die with dignity”. 

Bidyut Kumar Chatterjee, Faridabad

Genuine concern

The concerns of Cuffe Parade and Colaba residents are justified. The construction of a bund on the pretext of preventing soil erosion will definitely result in coastal encroachment, unwarranted land reclamation, mangrove destruction, illegal jetty construction, and development of multi-storied slums taking over the coastline. Something that is blatantly evident in the bund built on the Versova beach eight years ago.

Ramesh Bhagwan, 

Mumbai

Brave move

Braveness and valour go hand in hand. Braveness must come at the appropriate time. A 3-year-old maneater leopard pounced on a teen in Shimla. The youngster gathered courage to grapple with the predator, keeping it from sinking its teeth on his neck, and clobbered it on the head with every rock and stone he could lay his hands on until the leopard died. The teen’s bravery deserves appreciation.

Jayanthy Anandambal, Chennai

Stop the war

The UN should intervene to end the US-Iran conflict immediately. India should come together with other countries and put pressure on the UN. Why is India being a puppet in Trump’s hands? It is time to stand up against the war. 

Unnikrishnan 

Mangalasseri, Kerala

Smart buses 

Apropos the article ‘Maha pushes for smart, safe buses’ (Mar 13), BEST buses must be low-level, providing easy entry and exit. Besides, double-decker buses or joint buses, capable of being steered on Mumbai’s roads, can help prevent overcrowding. Inter-city buses must have two chemical toilets, a GPS system, a black box, and an alternative to electric buses. 

Whatever happened to the plan of introducing amphibious buses from the Gateway of India to the Elephanta caves? 

Peter Castellino, Mumbai  

Good decision

I support the Maharashtra government’s decision to suspend issuing new permits to autorickshaws, which will curb rising pollution and traffic congestion in urban areas. The state transport minister must also keep regular check on auto rickshaw drivers, who drink and drive, to contain the increasing rate of accidents in the suburbs.

Cajetan Peter D’Souza, Mumbai

Jolted back to life 

Apropos the report “Miracle on Highway: Brain-Dead Woman Revives” (March 12), India’s infamous potholes have finally found their redeeming purpose. While Bareilly’s medical establishment was drafting death certificates, a highway ditch performed a better neurological assessment than expensive scans.

Between medical arrogance and infrastructural absurdity, the patient somehow won—a distinctly Indian miracle where salvation comes from the Public Works Department’s spectacular negligence. Perhaps we should question a system where families plan last rites before seeking second opinions and where rough roads jolt us back to life more effectively than hospital equipment. 

K. Chidanand Kumar, Bengaluru