The terminally ill who teased death as first-time stand-up comedians

Four patients romance their last days with laughter and highlight the need for palliative care

She's got her make-up done nicely and is taking stock of the audience with a hawk-like gaze when the spotlight envelopes her small frame. She's nervous, but musters enough courage to make her way to the mike. The monologue she delivers over the next few minutes draws considerable applause and laughter, laced though it is with dark humour. Sample this: "I am a Sikh. In fact so Sikh, that I had to be admitted to Guru Nanak Hospital."

Pooran Issar Singh, 85, is no Atul Khatri or Amit Tandon. This is her first gig as a stand-up comedian. But what