NEW DELHI: With her son snuggling in a baby carrier and a baton in her hand, Railway Protection Force constable Reena patrolled the crowded platforms at New Delhi Railway Station. It is an unusual sight, especially given the horrific stampede that claimed the lives of 18 people at the station on Saturday night. But Reena was only heeding the call of duty. On Sunday, the constable was asked to report for duty despite being on leave. She responded immediately, dropping off her two daughters at a daycare centre and arriving at the station with Tarun strapped to her chest.
With the one-year-old baby securely fastened in a baby carrier, Reena dove headfirst into managing the crowds, baton in hand. She kept a watchful eye on the passengers swarming platform 16. With a firm but gentle touch, she guided the crowd, helping them avoid rushing towards the trains.
When asked how she balanced her duties with childcare, she answered, matter-of-factly, “It’s a normal routine for me. I just make sure the baby doesn’t get hurt.” With her husband, a CRPF constable, posted in Jammu and Kashmir, and her in-laws and parents no longer alive, she has no choice but to bring Tarun to work. “I’m looking for a caregiver to help me, but until then, I’ll keep doing what I have to do,” she declared.
She may be on duty and someone in uniform. But she does not neglect her maternal responsibilities. She carries homemade dalia porridge, milk, blanket and nappies for Tarun’s needs during her shift. Her duty hours are unpredictable, ranging from 4pm to 12midnigh, and she may be posted at various stations, at Nizamuddin one day or at Anand Vihar on another.
Despite the challenges, Reena has diligently worked since joining RPF in 2014. Passengers and colleagues alike have taken notice of her hard work and dedication to her children. Even on Sunday, when a train pulled into New Delhi station around 4pm, the mother sprang into action, swiftly making her way to the train and instructing passengers to form an orderly queue to make sure everyone boarded or disembarked in a safe manner.
A senior RPF officer noted that while the Railways don’t have a creche facility for the security personnel, it did provide a support system and allowed those on duty to care for their children during their shift. Reena demonstrates every day that being a mother of a one-year-old doesn’t mean compromising on responsibility, that her professional and maternal instincts needn’t clash.
