The internet is hailing an auto driver for going beyond his duty to rush a pregnant woman to a hospital after she went into premature labour at a railway platform in Maharashtra.
The woman was seven-month pregnant, and was travelling with her husband in the compartment reserved for disabled persons. However, due to incessant rains, the train halted at the Virar railway station, causing a delay.
What Happened?
The woman unexpectedly went into premature labour, and her husband rushed out to seek help.
“Seeing his wife’s condition, the husband started panicking and rushed out of the compartment to ask for help. He found Gawad, whose auto was parked in the space allotted by Western Railway (WR) right next to platform number two. He urged Gawad to help him, following which, he brought his autorickshaw on the platform and rode towards Sanjeevani Hospital in Virar,” NDTV quoted police inspector Praveen Kumar Yadav, Virar RPF, as saying.
A video of the auto ride surfaced and was widely shared over the internet.
#WATCH Mumbai:Auto-rickshaw driver took rickshaw on platform at Virar Railway Station on Aug4 to pick a pregnant woman to take her to the hospital.RPF didn’t arrest him immediately as the "lady was in extreme labour pain,but he was later arrested&released with a warning by court" pic.twitter.com/eckppwGtr2
— ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2019
Driving his auto on the Virar railway station platform, 34-year-old Sagar Kamlakar Gawad, a resident of Dongarpada in Virar (West), rushed the couple to the Sanjeevani Hospital, where the woman delivered a premature baby.
The Railway Protection Force (RPF), however, later arrested Gawad for violating the rules. He was granted bail and released with a warning.
“Even though Gawad’s intentions were good, he has violated the rules. Driving on the platform could have injured commuters,” said Yadav.
Gawad was charged under Sections 154 (rash travelling or negligent act) and 159 (disobedience of drivers) of the Railway Act, 1989.
Gawad’s act was appreciated by several netizens, and his arrest condemned by many.
https://twitter.com/SpartanReturns/status/1158747391320711168
Arrested for what ?? For helping a pregnant lady, actually police must have rewarded him. Police says one must help someone who needs help in case of accident etc., But see, no one will come forward fearing the arrest. @MumbaiPolice
— Murali Thirumalai 🇮🇳 (Modi Ka Parivar) (@mayamadhava) August 6, 2019
The Logical Indian Take
When the world is only becoming increasingly unkind, people like Gawad restore our faith in humanity.
Gawad was under no compulsion to go beyond his duty calls to help the woman and risk being arrested. His kindness and courage are rare and much needed.
The Logical Indian lauds Gawad for his selfless service to society.
Also Read: The Unsung Hero: Auto Driver Takes Pregnant Woman To Hospital, Pays Medical Expenses For 15 Days
