COVID-19 Crusader: IAS Officer Refuses Maternity Leave, Resumes Work With 22-Day-Old Baby

As India continues its zealous efforts towards coronavirus mitigation, it is our women who have proved to be the true heroes in the face of this pandemic. Right from virologist Minal Dakhave Bhosale’s dedicated efforts behind India’s firsts testing kit to Captain Swait Rawal, responsible for the evacuation of 236 Indians from Rome, Indian women have truly risen to the occasion as they become the true crusaders of India’s fight against coronavirus. IAS Officer G Srijana is the latest addition to join this illustrious list of women warriors. 

Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Commissioner and IAS officer, G Srijana returned to work earlier this month, merely 22 days after giving birth. Given all the coronavirus chaos in the country, she decided to follow the call of the duty, cutting short her maternity leave and carrying her less-than-a-month-old baby to work.

Talking about the same in a media statement, Srijana insisted on the importance of showing up at work during pressing times. She also talked about how her district administration was working during the emergency situation by putting in a combined effort to curb the infection. She added that she is being amply supported by her husband and her mother, and is thus able to carry on with her official duties. The IAS association has applauded Srijana’s dedication. 

 

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On the other hand, Nurse Bimlesh Kain has established a new example in selfless service by travelling a distance of 30 kilometres to make it to work at 8 am every day. One of the 1,000 healthcare workers who are taking care of COVID-19 patients in Delhi’s Lok Nayak hospital, Kain heads a team of nurses who are responsible for these patients.

Currently, the hospital already has 602 positive and suspected patients and is preparing to create space for more. Needless to say, the healthcare staff is at great risk of contracting the infection as they take care of these patients. However, that doesn’t seem to deter Kain. As she said in a media statement, “It is our duty, how can we be scared? We will keep coming to the hospital and ensure that all of the patients are healthy and comfortable until the last patient has gone home.”

However, her job doesn’t just end there. “Not only do I have to ensure that all the patients are comfortable and looked after, I also have to make sure my nurses are safe. I have to ensure that when they are staying away from their families, they have a good place to live in and get nutritious food,” she shares.

As the country comes together in the time of this pressing crisis, may we never overlook the contribution of these dedicated women who have proved to be our true heroes at a time when it was truly needed. We salute the spirit of these women frontline warriors!

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