In a moment that captured the ethos of service before self, Major Rohit Bachwala, a doctor from the Armed Forces Medical Services, was awarded the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Card for helping a woman deliver her baby under emergency conditions at the Jhansi railway station. The rare civilian intervention by a uniformed officer has now become a talking point not just within defence circles but also across public healthcare and civic communities.
The incident occurred on July 5, 2025, when Major Bachwala was en route to his hometown Hyderabad on leave from Military Hospital, Jhansi. While waiting for his train, he noticed a woman in visible distress near the lift area of the station. She had fallen from a wheelchair and was in active labour. With no medical team around and precious minutes ticking away, Bachwala stepped in, drawing on his military medical training and presence of mind to handle the situation.
With no access to surgical tools or a sterile hospital environment, he improvised using a towel, a household knife, and hair clips to perform the emergency delivery. According to a detailed post by the ADGPI on X (formerly Twitter), the baby was unresponsive at birth. Major Bachwala immediately initiated neonatal resuscitation protocols, successfully reviving the newborn before stabilising both the infant and the mother.
The situation further escalated when the woman began experiencing complications related to the placental delivery. Again, using limited resources, Major Bachwala managed the emergency with clinical accuracy until both patients could be safely transferred to a government hospital.
On July 8, the Indian Army formally recognised this act of extraordinary courage and medical proficiency by awarding him the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card. The award ceremony was attended by DGAFMS Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, along with two of the Indian Armed Forces’ senior-most gynecologists, Surgeon Vice Admiral Anupam Kapur and Lt General Bhupesh K Goyal.
The recognition signals more than just personal valor. In a time where India’s public infrastructure is often overwhelmed, the ability of defence personnel to intervene with dignity and calm during civilian emergencies underscores the relevance of military training beyond the battlefield. It also draws attention to the broader debate around emergency response infrastructure at public transport hubs.
Major Bachwala’s story is a powerful example of India’s soldiers living the motto of service beyond the call of duty. In railway stations, bus depots, and remote corners of the country, uniformed personnel are often the first to respond to crises. Yet such acts often go unnoticed.
While the Army’s commendation is a step in the right direction, this incident raises broader questions: Are public spaces equipped for emergency medical scenarios? Should there be a system to recognise civilian-first responders, not just military personnel? And how can we better integrate defence-trained medical personnel into national disaster response frameworks?
For now, Major Bachwala’s selfless act serves as a shining reminder of what trained, committed professionals can do when institutions fail to act swiftly. His actions brought a new life safely into the world in conditions where many would have hesitated. That in itself is deserving of every honour.
