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Jhansi, July 8, 2025 — Major Rohit Bachwala, a medical officer with the Indian Army Medical Corps, has been awarded the prestigious Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card after his swift and courageous intervention helped save the lives of a woman and her newborn at the bustling Jhansi railway station.
The incident unfolded on July 5, 2025, as Major Bachwala was en route on leave from Military Hospital, Jhansi, to his hometown Hyderabad. While waiting for his train, he noticed a woman in visible distress near the lift area of the station. The woman, traveling with her husband and child on the Panvel-Gorakhpur Express, had been deboarded after going into premature labor and was being assisted in a wheelchair by railway staff. Suddenly, she experienced intense pain and fell from the wheelchair, indicating advanced labor.
With no time to spare and limited medical resources at hand, Major Bachwala immediately took charge. Using only a towel, a pocket knife, and hair clips, he conducted an emergency delivery on the railway platform itself. The newborn was unresponsive at birth, but Major Bachwala successfully resuscitated the infant. He also managed complications related to placental delivery, stabilizing both mother and child before they were transferred to a government medical facility for further care.
The Indian Army and senior officials have lauded Major Bachwala’s actions as an exemplary display of professional acumen, composure under pressure, and selfless commitment to duty. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi personally commended him, stating that the intervention “exemplified the highest standards of military service” and was a “testament to his medical proficiency and unwavering commitment to the ethos of the Armed Forces”.
Major Bachwala’s resourcefulness and decisive action in a non-clinical, resource-constrained environment have drawn widespread praise from both military and civilian communities. His story stands as a powerful reminder of the vital role played by military medical professionals, both on and off the battlefield.
“With no access to a proper operation theatre, I had to rely on tools I had on me. To clamp the umbilical cord, I used a hair clip. A pocket knife helped me cut it after ensuring the baby was stable. The mother and child were in a precarious condition, and every second mattered,” Major Bachwala recounted.
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This article is based on information available as of July 8, 2025, from multiple news sources. While the details have been corroborated with official statements and news reports, some specifics may evolve as further information becomes available.
