Painless Execution

A shortage of sodium thiopental, a fast-acting barbiturate and general anesthetic used in lethal injections of death-row convicts, has delayed several executions throughout the U.S. and reignited a long-standing debate over the combination of chemicals used to carry out capital punishment. Most recently, Arizona inmate Jeffrey Landrigan was executed Tuesday night only after a delay caused by a legal battle over the source and quality of the sodium thiopental used as part of the lethal injection.

Source: http://www.scientificamerican.com, October 27, 2010

The lethal injection is a  three-drug cocktail consisting of barbituric, paralytic and toxic agents.  Sodium Thiopental is used to induce unconsciousness, purportedly to spare the prisoner pain and suffering from the other two drugs. Pancuronium bromide (Pavulon) is administered second. Pavulon causes paralysis in less than a minute, including the paralysis of respiritory (breathing) muscles. The third drug administered is potassium chloride, which stops the heart, causing cardiac arrest. Beginning at the injection site, potassium chloride can be excruciatingly painful.

The debate is, is  Capital Punishment by lethal injection really quick and painless? If the dose of the short-acting thiopental has diminished by the time potassium chloride is administered, the prisoner will be subjected to unbearable pain, but unable to express it due to being paralyzed by the Pavulon. So far, the FDA has avoided any ruling on the cocktail's efficacy in delivering a merciful death.

© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved.

What 'Success' Means To Me

On a number of occasions, I am asked what I belive has led to my success. Frankly, I think I still have a long way to go. Yet, I would like to pen down some introspective thoughts.
 

Emotional fulfilment and self actualisation have been the twin goals I have strived for. Now,these don’t just chance ones way; one must passionately, actively solicit them. My radar is actively tuned to any signals that show I am straying away from my goals.

I belive that creativity is the epicentre of growth. I like to interact with creative people and foster creation, and that is probably what keeps me excited about what I do.

The environment around oneself changes very fast… technology, trends, expectations etc. I believe that I must stay abreast or I will lag behind. I belive that one must take responsibility for ones growth; one can never stop learning, and if one is not up-to date, one will miss the bus. Hence, I try to create a learning environment around me.

I believe that every problem has a solution; it’s only a matter of time when you find it, if only you keep trying.

To certain extent, I know my strengths; and I know my weaknesses better. I rely on people who complement me and I like to work with people I can respect and trust. I and believe in building pillars of strength around me, hence, I am willing to go the extra mile for them.

I am an eternal optimist, nothing can be that bad simply if you are alive.

© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved.

Success Is Relative

Your dreams define your perspective of success. A dream streamlined by realistic parameters and shaped by your value system becomes an achievable goal. And goals can be as diverse as material success, career growth, relationships, pursuing a cherished interest or vocation, peaceful existence, gaining knowledge, etc.

So, first you need a goal, and then a way of measuring your progress towards that goal. And then some personal yardstick of which measurement would count as success and which would count as failure.

My personal notion is that, whatever the vocation or calling, a successful person is one who lights up people’s eyes and brings a smile on their faces when he walks into a room, regardless of their backgrounds, status or relationship with him. And this must be so at workplace, home and every other walk of life.

You cannot light up people’s eyes if you are not traversing your own journey of life in the most meaningful and fulfilling manner that you can.

© Sujata Khanna. All rights reserved.