Nun Assists Emergency Birth on Train, Slips Away from Limelight

Odisha, 8 June, 2025 - Sr. Vasundha DSS became an unexpected midwife aboard the Samata Express, on 10 May 2025 helping a woman in labour deliver safely — and then quietly returning to her seat to sing her Magnificat.

While the country reeled from disturbing news of a young nun and her companions being detained on 1st June at Khorda Railway Station over alleged conversion charges, a quiet act of compassion by another nun a few weeks earlier remained largely unknown.

Sr. Vasundha, 51 years into religious life and a professional nurse, was returning from a province-level meeting in Jhansi. Her original train, scheduled for 2nd May to Rayagada, had been cancelled, and she managed to board the rescheduled train on 9th May. Accompanied by a young nun, Sr. Vasundha was travelling in a sleeper coach.

Early the next morning, the younger sister alerted her to a pregnant woman in the next compartment, writhing in labour pain with no medical aid or nearby station in sight. The only companions with the woman were two minors. “In this helpless situation and knowing the risk involved, I invoked the intercession of Mother Mary and got into action,” said Sr. Vasundha.

Within minutes, the baby — weighing about 3kg — was born, but the placenta had not yet been released. “There was no one to help me even to hold the baby. My hands were weak, but I had no time to waste,” she recalled. With no tools at hand, and only prayer and experience to guide her, she worked carefully and eventually managed to release the placenta. Someone eventually found a small pair of scissors and thread to tie the umbilical cord. The entire process took nearly an hour.

By the time the train pulled into a nearby station — with media and medical teams waiting — the mother and child were both safe and walking cheerfully down the platform. Sr. Vasundha had already slipped away to her compartment and knelt in prayer.

Originally from Chungakkunnu, Kerala, Sr. Vasundha Manchupallil belongs to the Deena Seva Sisters (DSS) and has served in various missions across North India for five decades. She is currently based in Laiguda parish, Rayagada Diocese, Odisha.

By Sr. Tessy Jacob SSPS