An Indian Army doctor, en route to meet his family, turned Jhansi station into a makeshift maternity ward using just a pocket knife, hair clips, and a dhoti. With the support of women railway staff, he safely delivered a baby girl on the footover bridge of Jhansi Railway Station.
The incident took place on Saturday at Virangana Laxmibai Jhansi railway station. A woman, travelling with her husband and child on the Panvel-Gorakhpur Express (15066), experienced sudden labour pains. Her husband immediately raised an SOS on the Rail Madad app.
31-year-old Major Rohit Bachwala, a doctor from Military Hospital, Jhansi, who was waiting for a train to Hyderabad, stepped in without hesitation.
With limited resources, he used a pocket knife and hair clips for the delivery while the railway women staff secured the area. A dhoti was brought to cover the delivery area, and gloves were provided for safety.
Indian Army officials confirmed the safe delivery. They said, “Major Rohit, using minimal resources, successfully carried out the childbirth and provided vital assistance in a challenging situation. Due to his timely intervention, both the mother and newborn remained stable.”
The North Central Railway’s Jhansi division said in a statement, “As soon as the information was received, the Jhansi control room activated a team for medical assistance. When the train arrived at the station, the railway medical team and ticket checking staff promptly attended to the passenger.”
The station’s female railway staff also played a key role. Lily Kushwaha, Rakhi Kushwaha, Jyotika Sahu, and Kavita Agarwal assisted the Army doctor and medical team.
After the birth, the woman and her baby girl received first aid and were taken to a nearby hospital by ambulance. Both were reported to be healthy.
As soon as the news reached social media platforms, users left no stone unturned in praising the effort made to ensure the baby’s safe delivery.
“After hearing such news, it seems humanity still exists in people,” a user said, while another added, “The baby would be so happy to know this later in her life.”
“Proud of our Indian Army,” one of the users said.
It is safe to say that amid the rush hour chaos, Jhansi station witnessed a rare moment where compassion and courage brought a new life safely into the world.
– Ends