Karnataka: At 3.15 am, this ASHA worker drives auto for 20 kms to drop a pregnant woman

UDUPI: In spite of being overburdened with work due to Covid-19, when

Rajeevi Nayak

, 53, an

ASHA worker

and an autorickshaw driver, received a call from a

pregnant woman

at 3.15 am on Thursday - she just could not say "No".


Being an Asha worker, she knew Srilatha, a pregnant woman. Rajeevi told TOI, "Since we interact with pregnant women, I tell everyone that in case they develop labour pain and need to be rushed to the hospital, they can call me anytime. Likewise, when Srilatha called me over the phone at around 3.15am, I inquired about her condition and told her that in case the pain is severe, I will arrange for an ambulance. The pregnant lady expressed confidence of travelling to the hospital in an autorickshaw. I was quick to reach her house and from there we reached the Koosamma Shambhu Shetty Memorial

Haji Abdullah Mother and Child hospital

, 20 kilometers from her house and by 12 noon, she delivered a baby girl. I am happy to know that the baby and the child are doing fine," she said.

Rajeevi aka Asha from Pernankila has been an auto driver for the past 20 years and has been giving free rides to pregnant women. She is also a Booth Level officer and if time permits participates in government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.