24 days on, Parag still in coma

"HE is the best brother anybody can have. I still cannot believe he is in a coma," said Makarand Ingle, Parag Ingle's brother.

Twenty-four days after he was hit by a bullet in the head during an NCC training camp, 14-year-old Parag Ingle continues to be in coma at Command Hospital.

"I had gone for a school picnic when I got to know from a teacher Parag was hit in the ear by a bullet. I called up dad and he told me the real situation," said Makarand.

"Parag is younger to me but we never fought like other kids. We were always together. We go to the same school. After returning from school, we used to spend our afternoons together. At night, we took dinner together and talked a lot before going to bed," said Makarand, a Class XI student of Loyola High School and Junior College. "We share everything. We are like friends," added Makarand.

Makarand's parents have not stayed at home since the incident. "My dad comes and goes but my mom has been at the hospital ever since Parag was admitted. She is continuously praying for him to open his eyes," said Makarand. The whole family is praying for him.

Though Makarand believes it was NCC teacher Amod Ghanekar's mistake, he feels he cannot be blamed. "It is true our family suffered a lot but what Ghanekar sir did was honestly, a mistake. I would not want him to go to jail for this. Parag was actually one of his favourite students. There is no way he would have shot at him on purpose," said Makarand.

Though in coma, Parag's condition is stable, said hospital authorities. Major General V Ravishankar, Commandant, Command Hospital, said Parag had been taken off artificial ventilation and was breathing on his own. "He is not on any medication or antibiotics and his heart rate is stable. His overall condition is stable," he said.

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