People have been dying all through history. Therefore, death is not a new phenomenon to the humankind. But the nature of death has been a point of interest.
I remember my elders who categorized death as "peaceful" - "good" etc. When talking about a man who died - they referred to the death as "he had a good death" ( நல்ல சாவு ). If someone died in their sleep - it was again referred as good death. The generations before me welcomed death - if it was peaceful. They abhorred the idea of a painful death - death after prolonged illness. This has been a universal phenomenon. When cricketer Phillip Hughes died after a ball injury to his neck - the spokesperson announced that he had a peaceful death - he did not suffer any pain - and that he was surrounded by his family.
Today - thanks to our scientifically developed modern medicine - even this basic luxury is denied to most people. In fact, the default death of any celebrity is that of a lonely death.
I would rather die - in my home - surrounded by my family members. I would prefer to bid them a smiling farewell and breathe my last than die alone in an air conditioned ward (ICU) - without even being able to have a glimpse of my loved ones!!! Death becomes meaningless if all that i get to see are mere machines surrounding me even after i have lived a glorious life.
Alas - the fate of most people - who enter the ICU - is that of a pathetic death. The more famous a person is - the more lonely his or her death becomes.
People of the world - WAKE UP.
ALL OF US DESERVE A BETTER WAY TO DIE THAN BE ISOLATED AND DIE LIKE AN ORPHAN.
If you are critically ill - ask to be taken home - choose to die with dignity - being surrounded by the richness of life that you had the luxury of living - with things close to your heart near you - with people entwined in your life crying near you - with your own flesh and blood hoping for your recovery. We are not afraid of death - we shouldn't be; but to die like an uncared for orphan - we should be (afraid).
