The NSG commando they forgot

While Surjan Singh’s temperature kept fluctuating and his left side remained paralysed, he did shows signs of improvement a few days after the operation—he started recognising people, responding to instructions and could scribble a thing or two on paper.

Then, on October 7, said Dr Jayesh Shelat, who is treating Surjan Singh, the commando stopped responding to commands and stopped moving his limbs and eyes. He developed a fever, and slipped into a coma on October 12.

Doctors performed a two-hour long operation on his brain, but there was no improvement. They operated on Surjan Singh again on Monday to drain out the accumulated blood from his brain, only to find Surjan Singh developing respiratory trouble today. Civil Hospital authorities have consulted reputed neuro-surgeon Dr Pradyot Thakor, who has examined Surjan Singh and has advised the hospital doctors on the line of treatment.

Surjan Singh, who is unmarried, belongs to Ranou village in Uttaranchal’s Chamoli district. His elder brother Kanchan is with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and his younger brother, Surjeet, with Assam Rifles.

Another brother, Uttam, runs a grocery store back home. Kanchan and Uttam have been by Surjan Singh’s side, hoping, praying that he wins this battle as well. The brothers haven’t told their widowed mother, Sureshibibi, about Surjan Singh’s condition.

‘‘We have told her that he sustained a small injury and that he is resting in Ahmedabad for some more time,’’ said Kanchan Singh. In fact, Uttam Singh even briefly returned to his village on October 7 to tell the family that Surjan’s condition was improving.

‘‘Surjan is the strongest and brightest boy in our village. He’s very popular for his fearlessness and good character,’’ said Kanchan Singh. ‘‘Nobody could commit a wrong while Surjan was around.’’ Local Garhwali residents have also been dropping into the hospital to inquire about Surjan Singh.

‘‘They have been very helpful to us, and they’ve never let us feel lonely,’’ Kanchan Singh said. Two women dropped by this morning, and started crying when they saw the commando’s condition. One NSG commando, Suresh Singh Yadav, was killed in Operation Vajrashakti, as it was named.