Uttar Pradesh Viral Hero: Off-Duty Army Doctor Delivers Baby On Footover Bridge At Jhansi Railway Station, Earns Nation’s Applause
Jhansi: In the chaos of Jhansi railway station—amid the clamour of loudspeaker announcements, chai vendors calling out, and passengers rushing to platforms—time briefly stood still on the afternoon of July 5. A moment of crisis turned into a moment of courage, when an off-duty army doctor stepped in to deliver a baby on a footover bridge, with nothing but basic supplies, presence of mind, and a deep sense of duty.
Major Rohit Bachwala, a 31-year-old army doctor from the Military Hospital in Jhansi, was waiting for a train to Hyderabad. Dressed in civilian clothes, he was travelling alone, carrying a bag and perhaps thoughts of his own family. But fate had other plans.
On a nearby platform, a pregnant woman aboard the Panvel-Gorakhpur Express went into sudden labour. She was travelling with her husband and child when the pain began—abrupt, intense, and dangerously premature. Her husband raised an alert through the Rail Madad app, hoping for swift medical assistance. But before that help could officially arrive, Major Rohit had already sensed something was wrong.
He followed the cries and commotion to the footbridge, where the woman had been brought. There was no hospital in sight, no medical kit in hand, no sterile environment—just a woman in distress and a growing crowd. But Rohit didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward, assessed the situation, and got to work.
With the help of four female railway staffers—Lily Kushwaha, Rakhi Kushwaha, Jyotika Sahu, and Kavita Agarwal—a makeshift delivery room was hastily created. A dhoti was fetched and held up to provide privacy. Gloves were procured to maintain basic hygiene. And with just a pocket knife, a couple of hair clips, and steady hands, the army doctor guided the baby girl safely into the world.
There were no sophisticated tools—only improvisation and instinct. A hair clip was used to clamp the umbilical cord; a pocket knife served as the surgical instrument. It was a delivery under extreme constraints, yet carried out with clinical precision and calm professionalism.
Once both mother and newborn were stabilized, an ambulance transported them to a local hospital. Doctors later confirmed both were doing well.
For those who witnessed the event, it was nothing short of extraordinary—a rare moment of humanity and heroism unfolding in the middle of an otherwise ordinary day. As the crowd dispersed and the station resumed its familiar rhythm, news of the incident began spreading rapidly across social media platforms.
A Moment That Moved the Nation
The story struck a chord with people across the country. Netizens lauded Major Rohit for his quick thinking and service, even when off duty. “A soldier is always on duty. Jai Hind,” wrote one user. Another posted: “Incredible presence of mind and dedication. Hats off to Major Rohit for this lifesaving act!”
Messages poured in, calling him a “true hero,” a “guardian angel,” and “the embodiment of service.” A user suggested that the government take a cue from this incident and ensure better planning for expectant mothers, including scheduled checks to reduce such emergencies during travel.
Many commenters pointed out that while medals and citations are given for acts on the battlefield, it is stories like these—silent, spontaneous, and deeply human—that reveal the true spirit of India’s armed forces.
More Than a Viral Moment
What resonated was not just the drama of the moment, but the simplicity and sincerity of the act. Major Rohit was not in uniform. He was not ordered to act. He did not even have the proper equipment. But he saw someone in need, and he responded—not as a soldier, or a doctor, but as a human being.
In an era where institutional failures often make headlines, this one act reminded the nation of the power of individual action. It also raised quiet questions—about the need for better emergency medical preparedness at public transit points, the vulnerability of travelling pregnant women, and the gaps in our health support systems.
But for now, the story remains one of quiet heroism.
Major Rohit Bachwala continued on his journey after the mother and baby were taken to the hospital. No press conference, no formal recognition—just a soldier who did what needed to be done.
And for a brief moment, amid the rush of a train station, a platform full of strangers paused to witness something rare: life being delivered, literally and figuratively, by one man’s unwavering commitment to humanity.
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