In a heart-stirring moment of selfless service, Major Rohit Bachwala, a medical officer from the Indian Army’s Medical Corps (AMC), stepped in to assist a pregnant woman in labour at Jhansi Railway Station, successfully helping her deliver a healthy baby under extremely challenging conditions. His swift action and presence of mind turned what could have been a medical emergency into a moment of grace and humanity.
Who is Major Rohit Bachwala?
Major Rohit Bachwala, 31, serves with the Indian Army Medical Corps and is currently posted at the Jhansi Military Hospital. Originally from Hyderabad, he is the son of a former Indian Air Force officer and upholds a proud legacy of military service. Trained to handle battlefield trauma and emergencies, Major Bachwala’s skills proved equally vital in a civilian setting on this unexpected day.
Interestingly, the major was on leave and en route to Hyderabad via Bengaluru to visit his family. His presence at the railway station on Saturday, July 5, 2025, was purely coincidental — but proved to be life-changing for one young family.
The Emergency Unfolds
The incident occurred at the Virangana Laxmibai Jhansi Railway Station. A woman traveling with her husband and child aboard the Panvel-Gorakhpur Express (15066) went into premature labour. The husband had contacted the rail authorities through the Rail Madad app, prompting railway officials to arrange assistance.
When the train reached Jhansi, the woman was deboarded and escorted by a female TTE (Traveling Ticket Examiner) in a wheelchair. However, while being taken for medical help, she suddenly screamed in pain as labour progressed rapidly — just as they exited the lift onto the station’s footover bridge.
At that very moment, Major Bachwala, waiting for his own train, noticed the commotion and instinctively rushed to help.
A Delivery on the Footover Bridge
With no medical equipment in sight and the situation becoming critical, Major Bachwala had to improvise. He used a pocket knife, hair clips, and a dhoti to carry out the delivery. Railway women staff stepped up to assist, creating a makeshift privacy screen using cloth, and providing gloves to help maintain hygiene.
Despite the heat, the crowd, and a lack of basic tools, Major Bachwala remained calm and focused. In a matter of minutes, the woman gave birth to a healthy baby under his expert supervision.
“The mother and newborn were stable post delivery. An ambulance was arranged to take them to a nearby hospital,” said Major Bachwala, speaking to Times of India. “As soon as I heard the woman scream, I rushed to help. I did what I could with what I had.”
Applause from Eyewitnesses
The scene drew spontaneous applause from stunned passengers who witnessed the delivery. Railway women staff and bystanders hailed Major Bachwala as a hero, with one describing him as “an angel in the hour of need.” The woman’s family, visibly emotional and overwhelmed, thanked him for saving both lives with nothing more than courage and clinical instinct.
Recognition from the Indian Army and Railway Authorities
The Indian Army officially praised Major Bachwala’s act. A statement from the Army read:
“Today, an Army doctor, Major Rohit, of Military Hospital, Jhansi, successfully conducted childbirth at the railway station in Jhansi… Without delay and using minimal resources, the doctor ensured safe delivery, providing vital medical assistance in a challenging environment.”
Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General of the Armed Forces Medical Services, commended Major Bachwala’s quick action and called it a shining example of the military medical corps’ ethos of service beyond the battlefield.
The North Central Railway’s Jhansi Division also confirmed that it had been alerted via the Rail Madad platform, and its medical team had been mobilized. However, the swift response by Major Bachwala bridged a critical time gap and ensured a safe delivery even before official railway medical teams arrived.
Service Beyond the Call of Duty
This inspiring act adds to a proud legacy of Indian Army Medical Corps officers going beyond the call of duty to serve civilians in distress — from battlefield surgeries to emergency childbirths on trains and railway platforms.
The AMC, known for its motto “Sarve Santu Niramaya” (Let all be healthy), has always embodied the spirit of selfless service. Incidents like this reaffirm the Indian Army’s quiet commitment to humanity, especially in places where help seems just out of reach — until a soldier in olive green steps forward.
Conclusion
Thanks to Major Rohit Bachwala’s presence of mind, training, and compassion, a woman safely delivered her baby on a bustling railway bridge, and both lives were saved. His remarkable act stands as a reminder that true heroes don’t always wear capes — sometimes, they carry a pocket knife, wear army greens, and quietly do what’s needed most.
This moment at Jhansi Railway Station will be remembered not only for the new life it welcomed, but also for showcasing the finest traditions of the Indian Army — professionalism, courage, and above all, compassion in uniform.
