Europe bans two Chinese technology companies for ‘hacker attacks’, bans their CEOs from entering European Union

Europe bans two Chinese technology companies for ‘hacker attacks’, bans their CEOs from entering European Union

European Union has imposed sanctions against two China-based and one Iranian company ‌for cyberattacks against EU member states. The European Union has announced sanctions on China-based Integrity Technology Group and Anxun Information Technology, also known as i-Soon. Other than these two technology companies, EU has also banned Iranian company Emennet Pasargad on the same charges….

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Fact check: Is IShowSpeed invited to Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s wedding and planning a livestream? Truth revealed

Fact check: Is IShowSpeed invited to Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s wedding and planning a livestream? Truth revealed

A viral post claimed IShowSpeed was invited to Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodríguez’s wedding and would livestream it. The quote spread quickly but lacks any official confirmation. The claim comes from a meme account using old images. In reality, the couple plans a private ceremony after the 2026 World Cup, and Speed’s earlier mention was…

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Mar 17, 2026, 17:30 IST

Mar 17, 2026, 17:30 IST

Delhi Capitals’ KL Rahul celebrates his half century during an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 T20 cricket match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (PTI File Photo) NEW DELHI: KL Rahul is all set to open for the Delhi Capitals in the 2026 Indian Premier League…

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Stock market today (March 17, 2026): Which are the top gainers and losers in Nifty50 and BSE Sensex? Check list

Stock market today (March 17, 2026): Which are the top gainers and losers in Nifty50 and BSE Sensex? Check list

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty extended gains for the second straight session on Tuesday, ending higher by nearly 1 per cent amid buying in metal and automobile shares and firm global cues.The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 567.99 points, or 0.75 per cent, to close at 76,070.84. During the session, the index had climbed as…

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‘My wife also went through the same pain’: Ranveer Singh recalls Deepika Padukone’s pain while helping ‘Dhurandhar’ co-star

‘My wife also went through the same pain’: Ranveer Singh recalls Deepika Padukone’s pain while helping ‘Dhurandhar’ co-star

Rajat Arora got injured filming an action scene on ‘Dhurandhar’ set, playing Mukka in Aditya Dhar’s film. As he fell, Ranveer Singh rushed to lift him, relating via Deepika Padukone’s similar pain. Ranveer took him to first-aid, teaching resilience. Rajat shared learnings: actor bonding, character backstory depth, and creative surroundings use for impactful shots. Actor…

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Where Acanthosis Nigricans can hide

Where Acanthosis Nigricans can hide

A lot of people notice the dark, slightly thickened skin and just brush it off. Maybe they think it’s tanning, dirt that won’t wash off, or just “one of those skin things.” And that’s where the problem begins. Acanthosis Nigricans doesn’t hurt. So it quietly sits there, easy to ignore.There’s also the way we’re used…

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US-Iran war: How the LPG cylinder has become the face of Middle East mayhem’s impact on India

US-Iran war: How the LPG cylinder has become the face of Middle East mayhem’s impact on India

“The tea is 15 rupees,” said the tea stall vendor outside Noida Sector 16A metro station, apologetically handing over a cup of tea that had suddenly become more expensive.When asked why the price had increased, the vendor offered a brief explanation with tired eyes, the “cylinder has gone very costly.” Even the samosas and pakoras…

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How Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated under the shadow of war in the Middle East | World News

How Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated under the shadow of war in the Middle East | World News

Eid al-Fitr 2026, expected around 19–20 March depending on the moon sighting, is being observed across parts of the Middle East amid regional conflict, security alerts and humanitarian crises. A festival normally associated with communal prayers, family gatherings and public celebrations has instead unfolded under heightened security, displacement and ongoing violence in several countries.Across the…

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NEW DELHI: The All India Trinamool Congress on Tuesday announced its list of candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Party supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee declared that the party will contest 291 of the 294 seats in the state. The remaining three seats in the Darjeeling hills will be contested by Anit Thapa-led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM).Mamata has decided to contest the election from Bhabanipur against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari. Meanwhile, the TMC has also fielded Adhikari’s former loyalist Pabitra Kar against him in Nandigram.Additionally, Chandrima Bhattacharya has been fielded from the Dum Dum Uttar seat, Madan Mitra from the Kamarhati seat, Firhad Hakim from the Kolkata Port seat, Kunal Ghosh from the Beleghata seat, and Dr Shashi Panja from the Shyampukur seat.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran calls Israeli bombing of fuel depots ‘ecocide’; Trump warns Nato over war falloutRising Gulf-Iran Tensions: elites press US to hit Iran harder; fear threat to HormuzAudio Details Iran Strike Aftermath: Mojtaba survives ‘Blue Sparrow’ hit; family and commanders killed”We will contest 291 of the 294 seats. The remaining three seats will be contested by our ally, Anit Thapa-led BGPM, in the Darjeeling hills,” Banerjee said while announcing the names of candidates, flanked by the party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and state president Subrata Bakshi.Among the TMC’s 291 candidates for the West Bengal polls, 52 are women, 95 are from SC/ST communities, and 47 are minorities.See full listMamata expressed confidence that the TMC would retain power with a comfortable majority in the 2026 Assembly elections.”We will win more than 226 seats in the 2026 Assembly polls,” she asserted.The chief minister also sought to reassure party leaders and workers who could not find a place in the candidate list, saying they would be accommodated in the organisation.Earlier on Sunday, the Election Commission announced that the Assembly polls in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29.While announcing the poll schedule for four states and one Union Territory, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that reducing the number of phases was necessary to make elections convenient for everyone.The counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 will take place on May 4, along with that of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu. In the 2021 Bengal elections, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress secured 215 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party became the official opposition with 77 seats.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLok Sabha Revokes Suspension Of 8 Oppn MPs, Warns Against Placards, AI PicturesCentre Confirms All Indian Sailors, Ships Are Safe As LPG Vessels Shivalik, Nanda Devi Dock In IndiaDial PM Modi For Peace: Finland Backs India To Broker Ceasefire, Urges Trump To Call DelhiNDA Victory in Rajya Sabha Polls Triggers War Of Words As Opposition Split Widens In BiharIndia Condemns Pakistan Strikes In Afghanistan, Calls It Act Of Aggression And Warns EscalationNanda Devi Returns Home After Shivalik, Crew Thanks Indian Navy For Safe Transit Through HormuzIndia Dismisses Iran ‘Tanker Swap’ Deal Reports As Baseless, Ensures Safe Ship Movement Amid Crisis‘Biased Characterization Of India’: MEA Slams USCIRF Report Seeking Sanctions On RSS, R&AWJoint Tax Filing To Zero Penalties: AAP MP Raghav Chadha Pushes Big Relief For Common IndiansIndia Vs Pakistan Showdown At UN: Delhi Calls Out ‘Imaginary Islamophobia’ Claims, Afghan Strikes123PhotostoriesInside Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s ‘Haldi + Holi’ ceremony: From boat entries to floral kurtas5 meanings behind lighting a diya during prayer‘The Odyssey,’ ‘Project Hail Mary,’ and ‘Dune 3’: Oscar 2027’s early and likely contenders to watchDelhi’s big road push: New corridors, flyovers, free rides and moreFrom a luxurious house worth crores to expensive shoes and watch collection- Mr Faisu’s lavish lifestyle and house tour8 epic mountain drives in India perfect for summer travelMumbai Metro 3 boost: BMC to draft local area plans for 27 station zones by 2028’Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ to ‘Lagaan’: Top 5 Indian films with the longest theatrical runtimeDeadly on-camera stunt: Delhi property dealer fires gun at chest and dies7 discontinued cars enthusiasts still miss today123Hot PicksDoha travel alertLadakh statehood ralliesRasgulla choking deathGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingMagic JohnsonIndia LPG TankerGreen Card HoldersTaylor SwiftTeam VenezuelaGreen Card HoldersAssembly election dateWWE Raw NewsCarlos Correa WifeEid ul fitr 2026

NEW DELHI: The All India Trinamool Congress on Tuesday announced its list of candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Party supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee declared that the party will contest 291 of the 294 seats in the state. The remaining three seats in the Darjeeling hills will be contested by Anit Thapa-led Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM).Mamata has decided to contest the election from Bhabanipur against BJP’s Suvendu Adhikari. Meanwhile, the TMC has also fielded Adhikari’s former loyalist Pabitra Kar against him in Nandigram.Additionally, Chandrima Bhattacharya has been fielded from the Dum Dum Uttar seat, Madan Mitra from the Kamarhati seat, Firhad Hakim from the Kolkata Port seat, Kunal Ghosh from the Beleghata seat, and Dr Shashi Panja from the Shyampukur seat.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran calls Israeli bombing of fuel depots ‘ecocide’; Trump warns Nato over war falloutRising Gulf-Iran Tensions: elites press US to hit Iran harder; fear threat to HormuzAudio Details Iran Strike Aftermath: Mojtaba survives ‘Blue Sparrow’ hit; family and commanders killed”We will contest 291 of the 294 seats. The remaining three seats will be contested by our ally, Anit Thapa-led BGPM, in the Darjeeling hills,” Banerjee said while announcing the names of candidates, flanked by the party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee and state president Subrata Bakshi.Among the TMC’s 291 candidates for the West Bengal polls, 52 are women, 95 are from SC/ST communities, and 47 are minorities.See full listMamata expressed confidence that the TMC would retain power with a comfortable majority in the 2026 Assembly elections.”We will win more than 226 seats in the 2026 Assembly polls,” she asserted.The chief minister also sought to reassure party leaders and workers who could not find a place in the candidate list, saying they would be accommodated in the organisation.Earlier on Sunday, the Election Commission announced that the Assembly polls in West Bengal will be held in two phases on April 23 and April 29.While announcing the poll schedule for four states and one Union Territory, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar said that reducing the number of phases was necessary to make elections convenient for everyone.The counting of votes for the West Bengal Assembly elections 2026 will take place on May 4, along with that of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, and Tamil Nadu. In the 2021 Bengal elections, the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress secured 215 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party became the official opposition with 77 seats.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosLok Sabha Revokes Suspension Of 8 Oppn MPs, Warns Against Placards, AI PicturesCentre Confirms All Indian Sailors, Ships Are Safe As LPG Vessels Shivalik, Nanda Devi Dock In IndiaDial PM Modi For Peace: Finland Backs India To Broker Ceasefire, Urges Trump To Call DelhiNDA Victory in Rajya Sabha Polls Triggers War Of Words As Opposition Split Widens In BiharIndia Condemns Pakistan Strikes In Afghanistan, Calls It Act Of Aggression And Warns EscalationNanda Devi Returns Home After Shivalik, Crew Thanks Indian Navy For Safe Transit Through HormuzIndia Dismisses Iran ‘Tanker Swap’ Deal Reports As Baseless, Ensures Safe Ship Movement Amid Crisis‘Biased Characterization Of India’: MEA Slams USCIRF Report Seeking Sanctions On RSS, R&AWJoint Tax Filing To Zero Penalties: AAP MP Raghav Chadha Pushes Big Relief For Common IndiansIndia Vs Pakistan Showdown At UN: Delhi Calls Out ‘Imaginary Islamophobia’ Claims, Afghan Strikes123PhotostoriesInside Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda’s ‘Haldi + Holi’ ceremony: From boat entries to floral kurtas5 meanings behind lighting a diya during prayer‘The Odyssey,’ ‘Project Hail Mary,’ and ‘Dune 3’: Oscar 2027’s early and likely contenders to watchDelhi’s big road push: New corridors, flyovers, free rides and moreFrom a luxurious house worth crores to expensive shoes and watch collection- Mr Faisu’s lavish lifestyle and house tour8 epic mountain drives in India perfect for summer travelMumbai Metro 3 boost: BMC to draft local area plans for 27 station zones by 2028’Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ to ‘Lagaan’: Top 5 Indian films with the longest theatrical runtimeDeadly on-camera stunt: Delhi property dealer fires gun at chest and dies7 discontinued cars enthusiasts still miss today123Hot PicksDoha travel alertLadakh statehood ralliesRasgulla choking deathGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingMagic JohnsonIndia LPG TankerGreen Card HoldersTaylor SwiftTeam VenezuelaGreen Card HoldersAssembly election dateWWE Raw NewsCarlos Correa WifeEid ul fitr 2026

NEW DELHI: The All India Trinamool Congress on Tuesday announced its list of candidates for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. Party supremo and chief minister Mamata Banerjee declared that the party will contest 291 of the 294 seats in the state. The remaining three seats in the Darjeeling hills will be contested by Anit…

Read More
Is Rs 1,000 EPS pension enough? Parliamentary panel seeks urgent hike amid cost pressures

Is Rs 1,000 EPS pension enough? Parliamentary panel seeks urgent hike amid cost pressures

A Parliamentary panel has recommended an urgent and comprehensive review of the Rs 1,000 minimum monthly pension under the Employees’ Pension Scheme, 1995, saying the amount is no longer sufficient to meet the basic needs of beneficiaries amid rising living costs, reported PTI.The recommendation assumes significance as pensioners have been demanding that the minimum pension…

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‘The Devil Wears Prada’ actor Adrian Grenier on the one condition for an acting comeback: ‘I’d like to stay close to home’

‘The Devil Wears Prada’ actor Adrian Grenier on the one condition for an acting comeback: ‘I’d like to stay close to home’

Former ‘Entourage’ actor Adrian Grenier is contemplating a return to the screen, but with one caveat: the projects must shoot near his scenic Texas homestead. With family and a commitment to eco-friendly living at the forefront of his priorities, Grenier welcomes the burgeoning film scene in Texas as a perfect opportunity. Adrian Grenier says he…

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Word of the Day: Telekinesis |

Word of the Day: Telekinesis |

The idea of moving objects without touching them has always been an intriguing idea for humans. In stories, movies, and other such media, it has been portrayed that humans have moved objects using their minds. However, such powers have only been limited to the realm of imagination and fictional stories. However, it is interesting to…

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Will MrBeast host Oscars 2027? Academy Awards twist sparks chaos and fuels hosting speculation

Will MrBeast host Oscars 2027? Academy Awards twist sparks chaos and fuels hosting speculation

A dramatic Oscars 2026 closing sketch featuring Conan O’Brien being replaced by MrBeast has sparked speculation about the 2027 host. While likely a parody, the moment raised real questions about a potential shift toward digital creators. However, past hosts have warned the role demands months of intense work, leaving uncertainty over whether MrBeast would take…

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Harish Rana (L) and Aruna Shanbaug (R) NEW DELHI: “To be, or not to be: that is the question,” William Shakespeare’s famous soliloquy aptly captures the tragic dilemma surrounding Harish Rana’s life and death, who has struggled for over a decade in a vegetative condition. Invoking the Shakespearean tragedy of Hamlet, the Supreme Court announced a historic verdict allowing passive euthanasia for the young man from Ghaziabad.  The top court granted the first-ever approval of passive euthanasia in such a case, permitting the withdrawal of medical treatment and life support for the 32-year-old, who has remained between the thin line of life and death for over 13 years due to irreversible and non-progressive brain damage. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran calls Israeli bombing of fuel depots ‘ecocide’; Trump warns Nato over war falloutRising Gulf-Iran Tensions: elites press US to hit Iran harder; fear threat to HormuzAudio Details Iran Strike Aftermath: Mojtaba survives ‘Blue Sparrow’ hit; family and commanders killedThe decision effectively paves the way for nature to take its course, while bringing an end to the prolonged agony of parents who have endured the pain of witnessing their son’s suffering every day. Historic Ruling: After 13 Years In Coma, Supreme Court Allows Passive Euthanasia For Harish Rana The “difficult decision” came from a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan, based on the recommendations of two medical boards, as per the amended Euthanasia framework of 2018, and after personally interacting with Harish’s parents. The judgment observed that the continuation of medical treatment was no longer in the patient’s best interest.With its first verdict of this kind, the court granted Harish Rana the possibility of a “dignified death,” allowing him to exercise the “right to die with dignity”, a choice that Aruna Shanbaug had sought but never received during the four decades she spent suspended between life and death.From Ghalib to Constitution: The legal journey of euthanasia in IndiaWhen the Supreme Court heard Shanbaug’s case in 2011, it turned to the existential lines of Mirza Ghalib: “Marte hain aarzoo mein marne ki, maut aati hai par nahin aati.” loosely translated as, “We perish with the wish to die; death approaches, yet never arrives.”In that landmark ruling, the topmost court laid down the legal framework permitting passive euthanasia in India, later detailed procedural guidelines established in 2018. Years later, that precedent has now found its first full expression in the case of Harish Rana, turning a long-debated principle into a lived judicial decision.In its Wednesday verdict, the court also directed AIIMS Delhi to admit Harish Rana to its palliative care centre and initiate steps for the withdrawal or withholding of medical treatment. At the same time, the bench underlined that such a decision must not translate into neglect. “The resultant effect must not be the abandonment of the patient,” it observed.  Separated by more than a decade, the cases of Aruna Shanbaug and Harish Rana together add deeper meaning to the evolving role of India’s judiciary and the expectations placed upon it.When life recedes and death refuses to arrive, when consciousness fades and existence is confined to a hospital bed, the question of dignity becomes unavoidable.As Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” The court’s decision, in many ways, confronts the painful reality of what remains when that “why” disappears.Harish Rana: A life halted, a family’s long waitTragedy struck Harish Rana when he was just 20, a bright engineering student at Panjab University with a promising future ahead. In August 2013, during the final semester of his BTech in civil engineering, a fall from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation in Punjab’s Kharar changed everything.The accident left him with severe brain injuries, including diffuse axonal injury, a devastating form of traumatic brain damage, and resulted in complete quadriplegia. Despite treatment at leading institutions such as PGI Chandigarh, AIIMS Delhi, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lok Nayak Hospital, Harish never recovered. He has remained in a permanent vegetative state since the fall, bedridden and entirely dependent on life support.He can open his eyes and blink, but there is no awareness, no response to sound, touch, voice or pain.Years of immobility have left him with severe bedsores, adding to his suffering.For his family, the passage of time has only deepened the pain.  “How does it feel to see your own child lying in bed for years, without any eye contact, any communication or movement?” asked his father, Ashok Rana, his voice breaking months ago in 2025. “Every morning, we hope for a miracle, but instead we see him sinking further into silence. Emotionally and financially, we are exhausted. We have nothing left.”Pausing to steady himself, he added, “When I look into his eyes, there is nothing, no recognition. He cannot even turn his head. As parents, it is unbearable. We cannot see him like this anymore.”The memories of who Harish once was remain vivid.”Our son was a brilliant student. He was a topper in civil engineering at the university. The incident happened on Aug 20, 2013, which was a Tuesday and also Raksha Bandhan. He had sent us messages. Later in the day, we received a call saying he had fallen. When we reached the PGI trauma centre at 3am, he had injuries on his head and his feet had turned blue,” Ashok said.His brother, Ashish Rana, recalled how the family clung to hope for years. “We kept believing he would wake up someday, talk again, walk again,” he said.But hope came at a heavy cost.The family said they were forced to sell their home in Dwarka to continue his treatment. Monthly medical expenses alone run between Rs 24,000 and Rs 30,000, covering tubes, medicines and life-support equipment.  “It takes around Rs 24,000-30,000 every month for his basic medical needs, including tubes, medicines, life support equipment. We are not financially affluent. Selling the house was the only option,” Ashish said.For the Ranas, their plea was never about giving up, it was about dignity.”We just want him to be at peace,” his father said quietly. “No child deserves to suffer like this, and no parent deserves to watch it.”What court said: ‘Best interest’ and right to dignityThe top court’s landmark ruling permitting passive euthanasia for the first-ever time has brought renewed focus to a critical legal doctrine, the “best interest of the patient.”The decision by the two-judge bench described it as the delicate intersection of “love, loss, medicine and mercy”.”You are not giving up on your son. You are allowing him to leave with dignity. It reflects the depth of your selfless love and devotion towards him,” the Supreme Court told the parents.  At the heart of the ruling was the case of 32-year-old Harish Rana, who had remained in a persistent vegetative state for nearly 13 years, with irreversible and non-progressive brain damage. Applying the “best interest” principle, the court permitted passive euthanasia, allowing the withdrawal of all life-sustaining treatment, including ventilators and feeding tubes.In doing so, the bench undertook an extensive examination of the doctrine, drawing from the landmark 2018 Constitution Bench ruling in Common Cause vs Union of India, as well as international practices on end-of-life decision-making.On January 24, 2023, a Constitution bench eased the 2018 passive euthanasia guidelines, mandating primary and secondary medical boards to approve withdrawal of life support for patients in a vegetative state.This marks the first time the apex court has applied its own 2018 guidelines on passive euthanasia in a specific case.”The famous literary Shakespeare quote ‘To be or not to be’ is now being used for judicially interpreting the ‘Right to Die,” Justice Pardiwala noted at the beginning of the judgment.The bench described its decision as a “difficult” one, taken after relying on reports from two medical boards, which had approved the withdrawal of life support after personally interacting with Rana’s parents.It concluded that the continuation of medical treatment was not in his “best interest”.The court directed AIIMS Delhi to admit Rana to its palliative care centre and initiate the process of withdrawing or withholding treatment, while specifying that “the resultant effect must not be the abandonment of the patient”.”Due focus must be given to the comfort of the patient through pain and symptom management,” the court said.Reaffirming constitutional principles, the bench described dignity as the most sacred possession of a human being. It held that the right to live with dignity under Article 21 inherently includes the right to die with dignity.”Temporarily keeping alive a terminally ill patient who is brain dead or in PVS (persistent vegetative state), solely because doctors are able to leverage the technological advancements in medicine, and compelling such patients to endure a slow, agonising death, cannot fully be compatible with the constitutional ideal of dignity. There would arise a point of precipice where such prolonged medical treatment would stand as an affront to basic human dignity,” the bench said.Aruna Shanbaug: The case that began it allNovember 27, 1973.Decades before Harish Rana’s birth, a young nurse’s routine night shift in Bombay would turn into one of India’s most haunting medical-legal cases. Aruna Shanbaug, just 26, had spent the day caring for patients at King Edward Memorial Hospital, unaware that the night ahead would alter the course of her life, and the country’s legal history, forever.”November 27, 1973. Aruna Shanbaug, 26, is almost at the end of a tiring day. As nurse at Bombay’s King Edward Memorial Hospital, she’s been busy dealing with adulterated mithai poisoning cases, particularly children. It’s far too late to go home; she will spend the night at the nurses’ quarters…At last it’s time for bed. Aruna Shanbaug walks towards the cardio-vascular thoracic centre (CVTC) in the basement for her purse. That’s the last time in her life she walks. Or talks.  …At around eight the next morning, Matron Belimal gets frantic messages. A sweeper went to the CVTC and saw a woman with white clothes torn and thrown all around her. She has been identified as nurse Aruna Shanbaug. And there is a dog’s chain around her neck,” euthanasia activist and journalist Pinki Virani recounted.That night changed everything.A young nurse known among colleagues for her spirited personality and warmth, Shanbaug had been preparing to change from her uniform into a rose-pink sari to meet her fiancé, a doctor. Instead, she was brutally attacked in the hospital basement by sweeper Sohanlal Bharta Walmiki.She was discovered nearly 11 hours later, her heart still beating. But survival came at a devastating cost.The lack of oxygen had caused severe and irreversible brain damage. Shanbaug slipped into a persistent vegetative state, conscious only of pain, unable to speak, move or communicate. SC verdict in 2011 on Aruna Shanbaug’s case His freedom stood in stark contrast to Shanbaug’s condition.Confined to a hospital bed at KEM, she remained in a vegetative state for decades.Ultimately, despite laying the foundation of legal framework for passive euthanasia under strict conditions, the topp court denied Aruna Shanbaug the ‘right to die.’In the end, Aruna Shanbaug’s case laid the foundation. Years later, that legal pathway would finally be invoked in the case of Harish Rana.But as a nation, we must remember that we gave her nothing. We let Aruna down.Pinki ViraniFor decades, Aruna Shanbaug lay silent in a hospital ward, her story a haunting reminder of violence, neglect and the long struggle for dignity in life and death.’To be, or not to be’ finds an answerMeanwhile, the long agony of Harish Rana and his family edges toward an end that resists the binaries of joy or grief.At Delhi’s AIIMS, doctors have initiated the protocol for passive euthanasia following the top court’s order, a process expected to implement over the next two to three weeks, officials told PTI.In a video that has circulated widely, the young man from Ghaziabad lies still, eyes open yet distant, as relatives gather in quiet prayer.A member of the Brahma Kumaris based in Mount Abu, gently places a tilak on his forehead and whispers, “Sabko maaf karte hue, sabse maafi mangte hue, so jaao theek hai… (Forgiving everyone and asking forgiveness from everyone. Now sleep. It’s okay).”A struggle that spanned more than a decade has now reached a form of closure. As John Keats once wrote, “Half in love with easeful death,” the line lingers over Rana’s final passage.Through a legal path first carved in the case of Aruna Shanbaug, he has been granted what she never was.In that quiet, difficult distinction lies the weight of both justice, and time.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news and global desks. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence tech developments, and the shifting currents of global geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDial PM Modi For Peace: Finland Backs India To Broker Ceasefire, Urges Trump To Call DelhiNDA Victory in Rajya Sabha Polls Triggers War Of Words As Opposition Split Widens In BiharIndia Condemns Pakistan Strikes In Afghanistan, Calls It Act Of Aggression And Warns EscalationNanda Devi Returns Home After Shivalik, Crew Thanks Indian Navy For Safe Transit Through HormuzIndia Dismisses Iran ‘Tanker Swap’ Deal Reports As Baseless, Ensures Safe Ship Movement Amid Crisis‘Biased Characterization Of India’: MEA Slams USCIRF Report Seeking Sanctions On RSS, R&AWJoint Tax Filing To Zero Penalties: AAP MP Raghav Chadha Pushes Big Relief For Common IndiansIndia Vs Pakistan Showdown At UN: Delhi Calls Out ‘Imaginary Islamophobia’ Claims, Afghan StrikesNDA Storm In Rajya Sabha Polls Bihar Clean Sweep Odisha Wins Haryana On HoldIndia Holds Off On US Trade Deal Signing As Washington Resets Global Tariff Architecture123Photostories5 meanings behind lighting a diya during prayer‘The Odyssey,’ ‘Project Hail Mary,’ and ‘Dune 3’: Oscar 2027’s early and likely contenders to watchDelhi’s big road push: New corridors, flyovers, free rides and moreFrom a luxurious house worth crores to expensive shoes and watch collection- Mr Faisu’s lavish lifestyle and house tour8 epic mountain drives in India perfect for summer travelMumbai Metro 3 boost: BMC to draft local area plans for 27 station zones by 2028’Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ to ‘Lagaan’: Top 5 Indian films with the longest theatrical runtimeDeadly on-camera stunt: Delhi property dealer fires gun at chest and dies7 discontinued cars enthusiasts still miss todayBeyond Mumbai: Top 5 fast-growing cities in Maharashtra for real estate in 2026123Hot PicksDoha travel alertLadakh statehood ralliesRasgulla choking deathGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingMagic JohnsonIndia LPG TankerGreen Card HoldersTaylor SwiftTeam VenezuelaGreen Card HoldersAssembly election dateWWE Raw NewsCarlos Correa WifeEid ul fitr 2026

Harish Rana (L) and Aruna Shanbaug (R) NEW DELHI: “To be, or not to be: that is the question,” William Shakespeare’s famous soliloquy aptly captures the tragic dilemma surrounding Harish Rana’s life and death, who has struggled for over a decade in a vegetative condition. Invoking the Shakespearean tragedy of Hamlet, the Supreme Court announced a historic verdict allowing passive euthanasia for the young man from Ghaziabad. The top court granted the first-ever approval of passive euthanasia in such a case, permitting the withdrawal of medical treatment and life support for the 32-year-old, who has remained between the thin line of life and death for over 13 years due to irreversible and non-progressive brain damage. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran calls Israeli bombing of fuel depots ‘ecocide’; Trump warns Nato over war falloutRising Gulf-Iran Tensions: elites press US to hit Iran harder; fear threat to HormuzAudio Details Iran Strike Aftermath: Mojtaba survives ‘Blue Sparrow’ hit; family and commanders killedThe decision effectively paves the way for nature to take its course, while bringing an end to the prolonged agony of parents who have endured the pain of witnessing their son’s suffering every day. Historic Ruling: After 13 Years In Coma, Supreme Court Allows Passive Euthanasia For Harish Rana The “difficult decision” came from a bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan, based on the recommendations of two medical boards, as per the amended Euthanasia framework of 2018, and after personally interacting with Harish’s parents. The judgment observed that the continuation of medical treatment was no longer in the patient’s best interest.With its first verdict of this kind, the court granted Harish Rana the possibility of a “dignified death,” allowing him to exercise the “right to die with dignity”, a choice that Aruna Shanbaug had sought but never received during the four decades she spent suspended between life and death.From Ghalib to Constitution: The legal journey of euthanasia in IndiaWhen the Supreme Court heard Shanbaug’s case in 2011, it turned to the existential lines of Mirza Ghalib: “Marte hain aarzoo mein marne ki, maut aati hai par nahin aati.” loosely translated as, “We perish with the wish to die; death approaches, yet never arrives.”In that landmark ruling, the topmost court laid down the legal framework permitting passive euthanasia in India, later detailed procedural guidelines established in 2018. Years later, that precedent has now found its first full expression in the case of Harish Rana, turning a long-debated principle into a lived judicial decision.In its Wednesday verdict, the court also directed AIIMS Delhi to admit Harish Rana to its palliative care centre and initiate steps for the withdrawal or withholding of medical treatment. At the same time, the bench underlined that such a decision must not translate into neglect. “The resultant effect must not be the abandonment of the patient,” it observed. Separated by more than a decade, the cases of Aruna Shanbaug and Harish Rana together add deeper meaning to the evolving role of India’s judiciary and the expectations placed upon it.When life recedes and death refuses to arrive, when consciousness fades and existence is confined to a hospital bed, the question of dignity becomes unavoidable.As Friedrich Nietzsche once wrote, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” The court’s decision, in many ways, confronts the painful reality of what remains when that “why” disappears.Harish Rana: A life halted, a family’s long waitTragedy struck Harish Rana when he was just 20, a bright engineering student at Panjab University with a promising future ahead. In August 2013, during the final semester of his BTech in civil engineering, a fall from the fourth floor of his paying guest accommodation in Punjab’s Kharar changed everything.The accident left him with severe brain injuries, including diffuse axonal injury, a devastating form of traumatic brain damage, and resulted in complete quadriplegia. Despite treatment at leading institutions such as PGI Chandigarh, AIIMS Delhi, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Lok Nayak Hospital, Harish never recovered. He has remained in a permanent vegetative state since the fall, bedridden and entirely dependent on life support.He can open his eyes and blink, but there is no awareness, no response to sound, touch, voice or pain.Years of immobility have left him with severe bedsores, adding to his suffering.For his family, the passage of time has only deepened the pain. “How does it feel to see your own child lying in bed for years, without any eye contact, any communication or movement?” asked his father, Ashok Rana, his voice breaking months ago in 2025. “Every morning, we hope for a miracle, but instead we see him sinking further into silence. Emotionally and financially, we are exhausted. We have nothing left.”Pausing to steady himself, he added, “When I look into his eyes, there is nothing, no recognition. He cannot even turn his head. As parents, it is unbearable. We cannot see him like this anymore.”The memories of who Harish once was remain vivid.”Our son was a brilliant student. He was a topper in civil engineering at the university. The incident happened on Aug 20, 2013, which was a Tuesday and also Raksha Bandhan. He had sent us messages. Later in the day, we received a call saying he had fallen. When we reached the PGI trauma centre at 3am, he had injuries on his head and his feet had turned blue,” Ashok said.His brother, Ashish Rana, recalled how the family clung to hope for years. “We kept believing he would wake up someday, talk again, walk again,” he said.But hope came at a heavy cost.The family said they were forced to sell their home in Dwarka to continue his treatment. Monthly medical expenses alone run between Rs 24,000 and Rs 30,000, covering tubes, medicines and life-support equipment. “It takes around Rs 24,000-30,000 every month for his basic medical needs, including tubes, medicines, life support equipment. We are not financially affluent. Selling the house was the only option,” Ashish said.For the Ranas, their plea was never about giving up, it was about dignity.”We just want him to be at peace,” his father said quietly. “No child deserves to suffer like this, and no parent deserves to watch it.”What court said: ‘Best interest’ and right to dignityThe top court’s landmark ruling permitting passive euthanasia for the first-ever time has brought renewed focus to a critical legal doctrine, the “best interest of the patient.”The decision by the two-judge bench described it as the delicate intersection of “love, loss, medicine and mercy”.”You are not giving up on your son. You are allowing him to leave with dignity. It reflects the depth of your selfless love and devotion towards him,” the Supreme Court told the parents. At the heart of the ruling was the case of 32-year-old Harish Rana, who had remained in a persistent vegetative state for nearly 13 years, with irreversible and non-progressive brain damage. Applying the “best interest” principle, the court permitted passive euthanasia, allowing the withdrawal of all life-sustaining treatment, including ventilators and feeding tubes.In doing so, the bench undertook an extensive examination of the doctrine, drawing from the landmark 2018 Constitution Bench ruling in Common Cause vs Union of India, as well as international practices on end-of-life decision-making.On January 24, 2023, a Constitution bench eased the 2018 passive euthanasia guidelines, mandating primary and secondary medical boards to approve withdrawal of life support for patients in a vegetative state.This marks the first time the apex court has applied its own 2018 guidelines on passive euthanasia in a specific case.”The famous literary Shakespeare quote ‘To be or not to be’ is now being used for judicially interpreting the ‘Right to Die,” Justice Pardiwala noted at the beginning of the judgment.The bench described its decision as a “difficult” one, taken after relying on reports from two medical boards, which had approved the withdrawal of life support after personally interacting with Rana’s parents.It concluded that the continuation of medical treatment was not in his “best interest”.The court directed AIIMS Delhi to admit Rana to its palliative care centre and initiate the process of withdrawing or withholding treatment, while specifying that “the resultant effect must not be the abandonment of the patient”.”Due focus must be given to the comfort of the patient through pain and symptom management,” the court said.Reaffirming constitutional principles, the bench described dignity as the most sacred possession of a human being. It held that the right to live with dignity under Article 21 inherently includes the right to die with dignity.”Temporarily keeping alive a terminally ill patient who is brain dead or in PVS (persistent vegetative state), solely because doctors are able to leverage the technological advancements in medicine, and compelling such patients to endure a slow, agonising death, cannot fully be compatible with the constitutional ideal of dignity. There would arise a point of precipice where such prolonged medical treatment would stand as an affront to basic human dignity,” the bench said.Aruna Shanbaug: The case that began it allNovember 27, 1973.Decades before Harish Rana’s birth, a young nurse’s routine night shift in Bombay would turn into one of India’s most haunting medical-legal cases. Aruna Shanbaug, just 26, had spent the day caring for patients at King Edward Memorial Hospital, unaware that the night ahead would alter the course of her life, and the country’s legal history, forever.”November 27, 1973. Aruna Shanbaug, 26, is almost at the end of a tiring day. As nurse at Bombay’s King Edward Memorial Hospital, she’s been busy dealing with adulterated mithai poisoning cases, particularly children. It’s far too late to go home; she will spend the night at the nurses’ quarters…At last it’s time for bed. Aruna Shanbaug walks towards the cardio-vascular thoracic centre (CVTC) in the basement for her purse. That’s the last time in her life she walks. Or talks. …At around eight the next morning, Matron Belimal gets frantic messages. A sweeper went to the CVTC and saw a woman with white clothes torn and thrown all around her. She has been identified as nurse Aruna Shanbaug. And there is a dog’s chain around her neck,” euthanasia activist and journalist Pinki Virani recounted.That night changed everything.A young nurse known among colleagues for her spirited personality and warmth, Shanbaug had been preparing to change from her uniform into a rose-pink sari to meet her fiancé, a doctor. Instead, she was brutally attacked in the hospital basement by sweeper Sohanlal Bharta Walmiki.She was discovered nearly 11 hours later, her heart still beating. But survival came at a devastating cost.The lack of oxygen had caused severe and irreversible brain damage. Shanbaug slipped into a persistent vegetative state, conscious only of pain, unable to speak, move or communicate. SC verdict in 2011 on Aruna Shanbaug’s case His freedom stood in stark contrast to Shanbaug’s condition.Confined to a hospital bed at KEM, she remained in a vegetative state for decades.Ultimately, despite laying the foundation of legal framework for passive euthanasia under strict conditions, the topp court denied Aruna Shanbaug the ‘right to die.’In the end, Aruna Shanbaug’s case laid the foundation. Years later, that legal pathway would finally be invoked in the case of Harish Rana.But as a nation, we must remember that we gave her nothing. We let Aruna down.Pinki ViraniFor decades, Aruna Shanbaug lay silent in a hospital ward, her story a haunting reminder of violence, neglect and the long struggle for dignity in life and death.’To be, or not to be’ finds an answerMeanwhile, the long agony of Harish Rana and his family edges toward an end that resists the binaries of joy or grief.At Delhi’s AIIMS, doctors have initiated the protocol for passive euthanasia following the top court’s order, a process expected to implement over the next two to three weeks, officials told PTI.In a video that has circulated widely, the young man from Ghaziabad lies still, eyes open yet distant, as relatives gather in quiet prayer.A member of the Brahma Kumaris based in Mount Abu, gently places a tilak on his forehead and whispers, “Sabko maaf karte hue, sabse maafi mangte hue, so jaao theek hai… (Forgiving everyone and asking forgiveness from everyone. Now sleep. It’s okay).”A struggle that spanned more than a decade has now reached a form of closure. As John Keats once wrote, “Half in love with easeful death,” the line lingers over Rana’s final passage.Through a legal path first carved in the case of Aruna Shanbaug, he has been granted what she never was.In that quiet, difficult distinction lies the weight of both justice, and time.About the AuthorAbhishek MishraAbhishek Mishra is a Digital Content Producer at The Times of India, working with the news and global desks. He writes with a keen eye on foreign policy, defence tech developments, and the shifting currents of global geopolitics-and yes, Indian politics always finds a way onto his radar too.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosDial PM Modi For Peace: Finland Backs India To Broker Ceasefire, Urges Trump To Call DelhiNDA Victory in Rajya Sabha Polls Triggers War Of Words As Opposition Split Widens In BiharIndia Condemns Pakistan Strikes In Afghanistan, Calls It Act Of Aggression And Warns EscalationNanda Devi Returns Home After Shivalik, Crew Thanks Indian Navy For Safe Transit Through HormuzIndia Dismisses Iran ‘Tanker Swap’ Deal Reports As Baseless, Ensures Safe Ship Movement Amid Crisis‘Biased Characterization Of India’: MEA Slams USCIRF Report Seeking Sanctions On RSS, R&AWJoint Tax Filing To Zero Penalties: AAP MP Raghav Chadha Pushes Big Relief For Common IndiansIndia Vs Pakistan Showdown At UN: Delhi Calls Out ‘Imaginary Islamophobia’ Claims, Afghan StrikesNDA Storm In Rajya Sabha Polls Bihar Clean Sweep Odisha Wins Haryana On HoldIndia Holds Off On US Trade Deal Signing As Washington Resets Global Tariff Architecture123Photostories5 meanings behind lighting a diya during prayer‘The Odyssey,’ ‘Project Hail Mary,’ and ‘Dune 3’: Oscar 2027’s early and likely contenders to watchDelhi’s big road push: New corridors, flyovers, free rides and moreFrom a luxurious house worth crores to expensive shoes and watch collection- Mr Faisu’s lavish lifestyle and house tour8 epic mountain drives in India perfect for summer travelMumbai Metro 3 boost: BMC to draft local area plans for 27 station zones by 2028’Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge’ to ‘Lagaan’: Top 5 Indian films with the longest theatrical runtimeDeadly on-camera stunt: Delhi property dealer fires gun at chest and dies7 discontinued cars enthusiasts still miss todayBeyond Mumbai: Top 5 fast-growing cities in Maharashtra for real estate in 2026123Hot PicksDoha travel alertLadakh statehood ralliesRasgulla choking deathGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingMagic JohnsonIndia LPG TankerGreen Card HoldersTaylor SwiftTeam VenezuelaGreen Card HoldersAssembly election dateWWE Raw NewsCarlos Correa WifeEid ul fitr 2026

Harish Rana (L) and Aruna Shanbaug (R) NEW DELHI: “To be, or not to be: that is the question,” William Shakespeare’s famous soliloquy aptly captures the tragic dilemma surrounding Harish Rana’s life and death, who has struggled for over a decade in a vegetative condition. Invoking the Shakespearean tragedy of Hamlet, the Supreme Court announced…

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