Meet Mallamma Solagithi, a midwife who delivered over 10,000 lives for free in rural Karnataka
Raichur: Some people go above and beyond to help their community without seeking anything in return. One of them is Mallamma Solagithi, a 74-year-old woman who assists with childbirth, free of charge, in Karnataka’s Raichur district.
She is affectionately known as ‘Soolagithi Mallamma’ and has become a symbol of selfless service. Mallamma has dedicated over four decades to assisting in childbirth in Kavital and neighbouring villages, ensuring safe deliveries in an area where healthcare facilities were scarce.
Mallamma was honoured recently with the 2024 Kannada Rajyotsava Award for her remarkable and tireless service as a midwife.
According to a report by The Indian Express on Saturday, Mallamma’s journey began without formal medical training; she relied on the knowledge passed down through generations and her own experiences of traditional childbirth practices. She would travel on foot, regardless of time or distance, to help mothers in labour. Over the years, Mallamma has delivered over 10,000 babies—completely free of charge.
“I have always believed that childbirth is sacred and that every mother deserves a safe delivery. I never thought about money; my reward is the well-being of the mother and her baby,” Mallamma told the publication.
Mallamma’s eldest daughter, Nagamma, recalls her mother’s selflessness: “Even while eating, if news of a woman in labour reached her, she would leave her meal halfway and rush to help. She has done this countless times over the years.”
Her dedication to maternal care also extended to traditional medicine. Skilled in herbal remedies, Mallamma has earned the respect of her community as a ‘folk doctor,’ providing efficient and affordable remedies for postpartum recovery and common ailments.
Despite offers to work in hospitals and earn a formal livelihood, Mallamma has always chosen to serve her community instead. She expressed that she wants to pursue this as social work and help the needy.
While awards bring her joy, Mallamma insists they are not her true reward. “I don’t need money. I am content with the respect and love I receive from the people I serve,” she shared.
However, despite her significant contribution to the community, Mallamma's personal life remains a struggle. She lives in a small shed, with another used for cooking, located on government land at risk of demolition, the report mentioned. She has requested the government for proper housing to ensure a stable living environment.
In addition to the prestigious Kannada Rajyotsava Award, Mallamma was recently honoured by the Raichur district administration for her exceptional contributions to midwifery, promoting traditional medicine, and women's health.
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Pune journalist booked on voyeurism charge for filming woman at lodge
Pune (PTI): Police have registered a case of voyeurism against a television journalist in Pune for allegedly filming a woman in an objectionable position without her consent at a lodge in the city, officials said on Saturday.
The FIR was filed against Rohan Kadam under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 77 (voyeurism) and 3(5) (common intention) at the Vishrambaug police station here, while the complaint mentions that he was accompanied by three other journalists, they said.
The incident took place on April 8 when the accused had checked into a room at a lodge in Budhwar Peth, which houses a red light area.
In her complaint, the woman said that while she was wearing her saree after establishing "physical relations with a customer", she realised that an unidentified person was filming her through a net above the partition wall between the rooms.
She opened the door of her room and knocked on the adjacent door, asking the person to come out, the FIR said.
"The woman sought clarification from Kadam, who gave vague answers and refused to show his phone. When the lodge operator, the woman and others questioned him, he claimed that they were a group of four journalists conducting a sting operation," it said.
Police said Kadam was assaulted when he allegedly tried to flee from the spot.
The woman later approached the Vishrambaug police station and lodged a complaint.
"We have registered a case in this regard and further probe is on," a police officer said.
Meanwhile, the Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ) has written a letter to city Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar, seeking action against the journalist for the alleged act.
In the letter, the journalists' body said there were murmurs that some journalists and others were trying to ensure that no offence is registered in the matter.
"We do not agree with this and clarify that PUWJ will not come in the way of the probe," the letter stated.
