All had been diagnosed as being in a vegetative state - a condition where a person is awake, but has no sense of awareness of themselves or their surroundings.

一个人醒来时却对自己和周围环境毫无知觉的情形，都被诊断为植物人状态。

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In her petition, Pinki Virani said that Ms Shanbaug had been in a "persistent vegetative state" for 37 years and was "virtually a dead person".

BBC: India court rejects Aruna Shanbaug euthanasia plea

In her petition journalist Pinki Virani has said that Ms Shanbaug has been in a "persistent vegetative state" for 36 years and is "virtually a dead person".

BBC: India doctors to examine 'euthanasia' woman