A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded in Satara, Maharashtra, when an Indian Army soldier lost his life in a road accident just hours before his wife delivered their baby girl. The incident has cast a pall of grief over the community, highlighting the profound personal sacrifices made by military families.
The Fateful Night in Satara
Havildar Pramod Jadhav, who was posted in Leh, Ladakh, had returned to his native Dare Turf Aare village in Satara district a couple of weeks prior. His purpose was to be with his pregnant wife, Rutuja, during her final days of pregnancy. On Friday, he safely admitted Rutuja to a private nursing home in Satara city. In the evening, he left the hospital on his motorcycle to fetch her belongings from their home.
Tragedy struck around 8:30 PM at Wadegaon Phata in Satara city. According to police reports, a mini-truck, typically used for transporting vegetables to markets, collided with Jadhav's bike. The accident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Shahupuri police station. Passersby and local residents rushed the critically injured soldier to a nearby hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival.
A Family's Agony and a New Life
Back at the nursing home, Rutuja grew increasingly anxious as the night wore on. Her husband had promised to return and stay with her, and doctors had indicated she could go into labour at any moment. Unaware of the devastating news, her family and friends made the difficult decision to withhold the information to protect her and the unborn child's well-being.
On Saturday morning, Rutuja gave birth to a healthy baby girl. It was only after the delivery that she was informed of her husband's untimely death. The crushing news turned a moment of joy into one of immeasurable sorrow. Still recovering on a stretcher and accompanied by hospital staff, Rutuja was taken to the village ground where preparations for her husband's final rites were underway.
In a poignant and emotional scene, relatives carried the newborn infant to her father for a final glimpse. Havildar Pramod Jadhav was laid to rest with full military honours, a tribute to his service to the nation.
Investigation and Aftermath
Police authorities have taken swift action following the accident. Inspector Sachin Mhetre of the Shahupuri police station stated that the driver of the mini-truck was arrested and the vehicle seized. The initial investigation suggests that both the jawan and the truck driver might have been in a rush, which potentially led to the collision.
The personal loss is profound. Pramod Jadhav was the only son of his parents; his mother had passed away a year earlier. He had joined the Indian Army in 2014 and had shouldered family responsibilities, including arranging the marriages of his three sisters. His death leaves behind a newborn daughter who will never know her father, a widow in deep mourning, and a community in shock, reminding everyone of the fragile thread on which life hangs.
