Passive euthanasia case: Harish Rana laid to rest after 13 years in coma; family donates his eyes

PTC Web Desk: His case not only drew national attention, but also left every eye numb. Those who may have gone through or may be going through such a pain could relate more. Harish Rana,  a young engineering student in Panjab University, Chandigarh, who remained in a coma for 13 years , was cremated in Delhi today. He passed away at AIIMS in Delhi on Tuesday, after the Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling, allowed passive euthanasia for him. 

The case drew national attention in the past couple of days.  Harish Rana's last rites were done at a cremation ground in South Delhi, where his family members, relatives, spiritual representatives  and well-wishers were present. The pyre was lit by his younger brother.

"He was a good son. He was loving and obedient. He must be at a peace today," said Harish’s parents, who ad cared for him through years of medical as well as financial struggles. Despite a huge loss, his father urged all those present not to mourn, saying his son had finally found peace.

The body was brought to the cremation ground in an ambulance and adorned with flowers before the rituals began.

Spiritual members associated with the family said special prayers were offered. The family has decided to donate Harish’s eyes.

A prayer meeting and ‘bhog’ ceremony will be organised in the coming days, where food items that Harish once enjoyed will be prepared symbolically, as he had been unable to eat for many years.

Harish had been in a coma since 2013 after a fall from a fourth-floor balcony while studying B.Tech at Panjab University. His condition was declared irreversible by medical experts.

Earlier this month, after approval from the Supreme Court, he was shifted to AIIMS Delhi, where life support in the form of artificial feeding was withdrawn as part of passive euthanasia. He died on Tuesday.