40 Kilometers for my baby

Driven by the most powerful fuel, LOVE; a tribal guy Ayyappan with his pregnant wife on his back walked and ran through the forest for 40 kilometers. But, fate wasn’t with him. After detailed examination in the hospital it was discovered that the child was not alive. Doctors surgically removed the child’s body. 

Local people say that the forest route he followed is the most dangerous one as elephants and other wild animals are frequently seen there.

Ayyappan’s wife Sudha was pregnant and her health was deteriorating because of malnutrition and high blood pressure. Unable to watch her suffer he decided to attempt the impossible.

Ayyappan and his tribe live in tents inside the jungle. He collects honey and frankincense from the forest and sells them in the nearby (40 kms) town to make a living. With the money he gets from this he buys rice and pulses from the town. 

Sudha was 7 months pregnant and the couple was living on wild fruits and yams. This led to the malnutrition and her body began to swell up. When the situation worsened Ayyappan’s father and sisters left them and went to some other part of the jungle. It was then when he decided to carry her all the way to the town.

 

He started the journey at 6:00 in the morning with torrential rain pouring down during the entire journey. He asked help from the forest officers but they didn’t respond. He reached the town by evening 6 o’ clock. The town hospital referred them to Kottayam Medical College. Team of doctors led by head of gynecology found out that child was not alive and mother needs special care and attention. 

Doctors say that the malnutrition led to the decline of the mother’s health. Starvation was common during the monsoons says Ayyappan. The couple hasn't left the hospital yet and they are now provided with food and some money by local social workers.

Reading this people will start blaming the so called "System" and government. Let me make one small suggestion. NEXT TIME WHEN YOU PLAN YOUR VACATION TRY PLACES LIKE THESE. THESE TRIBAL PEOPLE WILL WELCOME YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY. YOU'LL RETURN WITH BAGFUL OF LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES.