Differently-Abled Woman Of Balasore Seeks Odisha CM’s Permission For Euthanasia

Balasore: Stung by poverty, a differently-abled woman from Balasore district of Odisha has sought Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s permission for euthanasia or ‘mercy killing.

The woman, identified as Kanchan Nayak, hails from a village under Raghunathpur panchayat. She has been staying in a rented house at Jaleswar for the last 35 years without any support family and relatives.

The woman was earlier working in a printing press and subsequently ran a small shop to eke out a living.

However, the woman said she fractured her hip and leg after a fall from the stairs over a fortnight ago. She was taken to a hospital in Cuttack where doctors conducted a surgery.

Claiming that she was discharged from the hospital before proper recovery, Kanchan said she has been rendered immobile and bed-ridden with no one present to look after her.

Coupled with her disability, abject poverty and lack of support from society has made life miserable for her, she said.

“I am in tremendous pain. I am unable to move. I am all alone and there is no one to help me,” said Kanchan.

Feeling helpless, the woman in a social media post has drawn the attention of the Chief Minister to her plight and sought his permission for euthanasia.