Diwali can’t light up this NSG commando’s home

Every Diwali, they danced the night away, doing the Pandav Nritya in 22 different styles at their village chaupal in Uttaranchal after an en...

Every Diwali, they danced the night away, doing the Pandav Nritya in 22 different styles at their village chaupal in Uttaranchal after an entire day of feasting and socialising. But this year it will be different. Confined to the post-op ICU of Ahmedabad’s Civil Hospital where their brother, NSG commando Surjan Singh Bhandari, is fighting for his life, Uttam and Surjeet Singh swing between hope and despair.

Taking turns to look after Surjan, who was injured in the terrorist attack on Akshardham, the two are trying to keep their chin up. It’s not easy for the family for it was immediately after Diwali that Surjan’s marriage was to be arranged.

Uttam, Surjan’s elder brother, runs a small grocery shop back home which he’s had to keep closed for over a month now. ‘‘What Diwali are you talking about? My wife is expecting our first baby…she is at home but I can’t go there,’’ he says.

Story continues below this ad

‘‘Our mother will be expecting her three sons back by Diwali…but we still don’t have the heart to tell her about Surjan’s condition,’’ he says.

He is also worried that his other brother Kanchan, an ITBP constable, will have to report back for duty on the 14th of this month as he’s exhausted all his leave. ‘‘If he is given an extension as a special case, things will get easier as he could come and stay here while I could go home to be with my wife,’’ Uttam says.

For now, what keeps them going is the battery of hospital staff trying to ensure that Commando Surjan Singh wins this battle as well.

Delhi Traffic Police issue advisory for Dussehra, Ramlila from today: Check timing

Cities6 min ago

As the festival season sets in with Dussehra, and devotees are expected to flock to Ramleela Ground and the Red Fort areas, the Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory Sunday, saying they will close some routes from Monday until October 3.

View all shorts

Live Blog