Pinki Virani Biography 
Pinki Virani, is author of four best-sellers including Deaf Heaven and Aruna's Story. She is a journalist and human-rights activist, better known for filing a petition in Supreme Court of India on behalf of Aruna Shanbaug seeking euthanasia to end her miserable condition, locked in a hospital room for about 4 decades. Aruna was a junior nurse at King Edward Memorial Hospital Mumbai who drifted into a vegetative state after a sexual assault by a sweeper in 1973. Though her plea was rejected, passive euthanasia got legalized in India after her efforts. She is a friend of Aruna since 1982 and has also authored a book - Aruna's Story published on her 50th birthday.
Virani was born in Mumbai in 1959 to a shop owner. Her school education was completed at Mumbai and Pune and later she went abroad to study journalism. She completed Masters in Journalism from Columbia University and did an internship at The Sunday Times. She returned to Mumbai to join as editor of MiD DAY. Her four books - "Once was Bombay", "Aruna's Story", "Bitter Chocolate: Child Sexual Abuse in India" and "Deaf Heaven" are bestsellers. Once was Bombay is referred to as a "cult book”. Bitter Chocolate won a National award. Lushin Dubey's solo play 'Bitter Chocolate' was based on this book.
She gained nationwide attention after she filed a petition in Supreme Court of India on behalf of Aruna Shanbaug. Earlier she has done extensive research works to write a book on this victim. She is married to Shankkar Aiyar, a noted journalist and writer and they have jointly chosen to be child-free.
Published: N/A
Updated: September 22, 2014
