Prof. Saleem Ayaz Rather
The word death is derived from the old English word “deth.” It was used in the middle ages to describe dying but now it is mostly used to refer to being dead or not alive. Death is a state of being that is characterized by the irreversible cessation of all biological functions that sustain a living organism. It can be caused by injury, disease, accidents, or any other cause. The act of dying leads to death. From biological point of view death is a positive part of life but still no one wants to die. At the same time we cannot avoid it as it can come at any time irrespective of cast, creed, colour or age. Whatever the case may be we have to go one day as we are under the control of a Supreme Power and we do not know when we will be called back. Moreover, this is a natural phenomenon that in order to keep balance in the universe we have to die. As per Darwin’s theory of evolution “there is limited food to eat and limited space to live”. We make big plans but this is HIS discretion whether those plans will get green signal or not. A man who was suffering from a serious disease was told by the doctor that surgery is the only option for its treatment and it involves a lot of risk with 50% survival chances. The patient asked the doctor if there is any other hospital where the survival rate is more but the doctor told the patient that no hospital in the world can provide you better treatment than this as the procedure is same everywhere. The patient sought some time from the doctor to think over it. Finally, the patient decided to go for surgery and asked his family members that I am going to start my encounter with death two days later, you should not worry at all and if I still have some days in my life then no one can kill me. Ultimately, surgery was performed and it took seven hours to complete the entire procedure. The patient went into comma and after about five months the patient started responding to the treatment and finally recovered.
Another encounter was witnessed by famous fashion designer and writer Crisda Rodriguez who had never thought that a time will come, at the age of 40, when she will have to say goodbye to this world leaving behind the luxurious life. She was diagnosed with cancer and was admitted in a reputed hospital for treatment. Though the doctors in the hospital provided her the best possible treatment, she lost the battle of life. Before her death she wrote that she has expensive cars for travelling anywhere but in hospital she has to travel in a wheel chair. Her house is full of all the costly goods like branded clothing, shoes and valuables but her body is wrapped in a small sheet of cloth provided by the hospital. She has enough money in the bank but of no use. She used to go from one five star hotel to another but now she is spending time in travelling from one diagnostic lab to another. She has expensive jewelry to decorate her hair but now she doesn’t have hair on her head. Although there are many food items in her house but her diet comprises of two tablets a day and a few drops of salt at night. None of the valuables could give her relief.
Irfan khan was an Indian actor who worked in Indian cinema as well as in British and American films and was widely regarded as one of the finest actor in the world. His carrier spanned over 30 years and earned numerous awards. In March 2018, he revealed via twitter that he had been diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. He went to UK for its treatment and remained there for a year and then returned to India in feb. 2019. Khan was admitted in Mumba’is Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital on 28th 0f April 2020 where he started receiving treatment for colon infection caused by the disease. During his stay in London he had occupied a house which was close to famous Lord’s Cricket Ground. From there, Irfan used to see the picture of world renowned cricketer sir Vivian Richards who was known as the King of cricket due to his excellent batting skill. Vivian Richard’s picture got him into thinking that there is a time when we are young and full of energy and actively visible and then we reach a stage where mere pictures remain as sign of our existence. Irfan khan tried his best to get services of the doctors of some reputed hospital but could not succeed in the battle against death. After battling with neuroendocrine cancer for almost two years, khan passed away on 29th of April 2020 at the age of 53. Irfan remembered his mother before his last breath. His mother Sayeeda Begum aged 93 had died just four days prior in Jaipur.
The inevitability of death is a universal aspect of human experience. Life is too short. Enjoy every second, every minute and, every hour of it. Who knows what will happen tomorrow. The angel can knock the door at any time and then we won’t be able to avoid his orders.
(The author is Head Deptt. Of Zoology Govt. PG. College Rajouri and can be reached at [email protected]).
