Commander Vijay Varma, Who In A Daring Operation Airlifted A Pregnant Woman During Kerala Floods Gets Nao Sena Medal
25-year-old Sajitha Jabil who lives in one of the worst affected areas in Chengamanad town near Aluva was rescued on a helicopter. The operation was spearheaded by Commander Vijay Varma of the Indian Navy as pilot-in-command. She went into labour within hours in a Navy Medical facility and gave birth to a baby boy.
It was arguably one of the most daring and risky airlifts that was ever undertaken by the Indian Navy. A heavily pregnant woman who was about to go into labour had to be brought to safety during the destructive Kerala floods last year. 25-year-old Sajitha Jabil, who lives in one of the worst affected areas in Chengamanad town near Aluva, was rescued on a helicopter.
The operation was spearheaded by Commander Vijay Varma of the Indian Navy as pilot-in-command.
The almost heart-stopping video of the rescue showed Sajitha being airlifted to safety by the helicopter. Despite all the risks involved and Sajitha, who could not spread her arms as instructed swinging wildly as she was being lifted, the Navy brought her to safety.
A pregnant lady with water bag leaking has been airlifted and evacuated to Sanjivani. Doctor was lowered to assess the lady. Operation successful #OpMadad #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods2018 pic.twitter.com/bycGXEBV8q
¡ª SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) August 17, 2018
She went into labour within hours in a Navy Medical facility and gave birth to a baby boy.
On Friday, Cdr Vijay Varma who led the mission was recognised for his efforts and the officer who is posted as staff QI in INS Garuda and honored him with the Nao Sena Medal for gallantry.
He was also instrumental in the air lift and rescue of more than two dozen people including another pregnant woman.
Later, recalling about the operation, Varma, who is also from Kerala admitted that it was a dangerous rescue he had ever undertaken.
"The two rescue missions stand out due to the unprecedented skills, valour and grit displayed by the officer while flying in extremely hostile conditions,"The citation for the officer read.
After the end of the Operation Madad, as the Navy were returning they were in for a surprise. A big thank you note painted on the roof of the house from where the women were rescued, to appreciate their service!
Bobins Abraham is the Assistant News Editor at Indiatimes. He has more than twelve years of experience in TV and digital journalism. An avid student of history and geopolitics, he is a conservationist and environmentalist at heart. He writes on environment, sustainability, human-animal conflict and more.
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