Muslim Woman Delivers Baby Girl On Mahalaxmi Express, Names Her After Goddess

Fatima Khatun, aged 31 and hailing from Mira Road, delivered a baby girl on June 6 aboard the Kolhapur-Mumbai Mahalaxmi Express after the train had passed Lonavala station. Her husband, Tayyab, has chosen to name the newborn Mahalaxmi in honour of the train.

As per the reports, the Mahalaxmi Express reached Lonavala and halted there for around two hours due to engine issues. When the train restarted at 11 pm, Fatima complained of abdomen pain and went to the lavatory. When she didn't return for a long time, her husband Tayyab went to check on her. Tayyab found that Fatima had delivered the baby. They already had three sons. The due date of the delivery was June 20.

Speaking to media, Tayyab said, "The train halted for more than two hours at Lonavla due to engine failure. When it restarted around 11 pm, my wife complained of abdomen pain and went to the lavatory. As she did not return for a long time, I checked on her and found that she had delivered the baby. Woman passengers came to our aid." 

The GRP constable on the train asked Tayyab to call on GRP helpline number and inform them about the situation. 

The GRP's prompt action

When the train reached Karjat station, the family got off the train. API Mukesh Dhange of Karjat GRP said that he alerted the nurse and staff about the situation who reached the station to aid the family. API Dhange said, "We alerted Karjat sub-district hospital and nurse Shivangi Salunke and staff reached the station. The woman and baby were immediately taken to the hospital for further treatment."

The mother and the newborn are safe now and were discharged from the hospital within three days. Savita Patil, the matron of the hospital informed about this to the media.

Tayyab said, "A few co-passengers, who had travelled from Tirupati to Mahalaxmi temple in Kolhapur, said that my daughter's birth on this train was like getting darshan of the goddess. Hence I decided to name her Mahalaxmi." He applauded the instant service of the Karjat Government Railway Police (GRP) which helped his wife and his newborn daughter, Mahalaxami.