Sharing the fear, attendants of two expectant mothers inside the snowcovered lawn of Anantnag’s Maternity and Child Hospital (MCH), are suggesting each other to remain vigilant during the night. “What are you people discussing,” asked the third female attendant sitting on their right. “The big rats, right?”
The two attendants Rozy, 32, and Zubaida, 36, of a Kokernag village are discussing ways and means to stay awake during the night fearing the rats roaming in good numbers might bite them. “We will ask two more attendants to join us for the night talks,” Zubaida suggested her sister-inlaw Rozy. Joined by the third attendant, Gulshana 45, of Seer village near Mattan, the trio is terrified to sleep at a place where rats leave attendants frightened.
On December 16 morning, Zubaida and Rosy brought their pregnant sister-in-law to the hospital where she delivered a healthy baby. Later the patient was shifted from the Labour Room to an inside ward. The same evening, the tired duo thought to relax for some time. “As soon as we spread a plastic mat on the floor, a big rat ran next to my pillow,” Zubai da recalls. Same night, around 2 AM, two more bulky rodents joined the first one. Nobody in the ward could sleep. For the four nights, they would live with cries: Yeki Ha, Houtnus (It is here, there).
In the same ward was an elder-ly attendant Hjira of LiddruPahalgam. Doctors suggested her to wait till the ward is sanitized; an early morning process by the hospital’s cleaning staff.
Two days back, her daughter Jozia, 23, complained of labour pain and she was shifted to MCH Anantnag. On the first night inside the ward the mother and daughter had their introduction to the bulky rodents that shocked and surprised them.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Before The Kabul Retreat
Described as the ‘Graveyard of Empires’, Afghanistan was always termed to be at peace when it was at war. But the land-locked desert country that was always in turmoil and one of the worst targets of the Great Game suffered immensely throughout, especially in the last 40 years, Masood Hussain writes
FINGERS CROSSED
Almost everybody in academia and politics that Khalid Bashir Gura spoke to, the response over Kabul happens was simple – wait and watch
Parliamentary Committee In Srinagar
The visiting 28-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs have had detailed interactions with top civil administration and discussed developmental scenario and people’s welfare measures in Jammu and Kashmir. It is on a 4-day visit. Congress leader and MP Anand Sharma is heading the committee.
MUSIC IN MUD HOUSE
Deep into north Kashmir, Faheem Mir meet a small community that sings and lives on folk music but is facing a tense situation in the last few years
THE KABUL SPILLOVER?
Security experts are divided over the possible impact of the Kabul situation on Kashmir. But the dramatic Taliban triumph has altered the region’s geopolitics, for the time being, writes Riyaz Wani
Durga Bhawan At Katra
To enhancing facilities for the convenience of the Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha laid the foundation for the Durga Bhawan, a high utility pilgrim-centric facility worth Rs 24.4 crore. The facility will accommodate 4000 pilgrims.
Women Empowerment
In the first, 480 talented girls from Jammu and Kashmir were included in the degree and diploma courses of the Pragati Scholarship. Jammu and Kashmir has also got nine scholarships under the Saksham Scheme for Persons with Disabilities.
‘SOME HISTORIANS BELIEVE THAT AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT IS THE OUTCOME OF INDIA AND PAKISTAN KASHMIR STAND-OFF'
Foreign policy expert and editor of HardNews magazine, Sanjay Kapoor believes that Taliban 2.0 has more legitimacy unlike in the past as it had signed a deal with the US and negotiated with other countries of the region, but the final verdict can be passed only after it manages ticklish issues involving half of its population, the women
Boredom Is Creative?
Getting bored is not as boring as it gets, writes Azra Hussain
LG In Bangus
Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Bungus Awaam Mela amidst grand arrangements for village games, exhilarating local performances, and other activities to celebrate the 75th year of Independence.
