New Delhi, Dec. 14 -- David Michael Malone, my friend and mentor, elected to die with dignity on 24 November at the age of 71. The veteran scholar-diplomat-a former Canadian high commissioner to India-had been diagnosed with prostate cancer a couple of years ago and Alzheimer's disease more recently.

He was spared the pain but did not want to suffer the loss of memory and degradation of the quality of life that comes with Alzheimer's. He invoked Canada's right to die when he was still in control of his mental faculties and passed away a day after spending an enjoyable evening out with his close friends.

As much as I will miss his long-distance friendship and sage advice, I was not unhappy to see him depart the way he did. Death is an im...