An Indian Woman Gives Birth On Roadside & Risks To Walk Another 160 Km

Shakuntala, wife of a migrant worker risked herself to walk a distance of 1,000 km from Maharashtra to Satna, Madhya Pradesh when she was in the 9th month of her pregnancy. On May 5, the woman gave birth to her baby on the roadside and took a rest for about an hour. After that, she continued her walkthrough of another 160 km.

She was a part of a migrant group of 16-17 people. By the time Shakuntala's baby was born, she completed 70 km. When all of them reached Bijasan town last Saturday, a police official of the home side saw the newborn cradled in her arms and got shocked. Kavita Kanesh, the checkpoint in-charge of Bijasan police said:

"I saw a woman holding a newborn and went to check if she needed assistance."

Later, she got goosebumps when knowing that Shakuntala with the help of 4 companions had traveled through Agra Mumbai national highway. Kanesh added:

"She just rested for about one and a half to two hours after she delivered. The family had no money, no means of transport, no one was giving them a lift."

As per Kanesh shared, the coronavirus lockdown pushed them into the vulnerable situation without jobs or places to live. Since then, the police official arranged a slot at a quarantine facility for the woman and her baby to get treatment.

Rakesh Koul, Shakuntala's husband said to a leading daily that despite the arduousness of the journey, they found true kindness from Indian people on the way. He shared:

"A Sikh family gave clothes and essentials for the newborn baby at Dhule. We had nothing to eat. We had to go home, where there are people we know who would help us."

Furthermore, at Bijasan, they and their companions received the support of water and food from police personnel. After that, the government arranged to send all of them home in Uchhahra village by bus.