In a touching gesture, the Navy on Monday felicitated a young woman, one of the 698 Indian nationals evacuated from Maldives and brought to Kochi, Kerala on Sunday and who delivered a baby boy shortly after disembarkation.
The Indian Navy warship INS Jalashwa had brought the Indians from Male while another warship INS Magar on Monday docked at Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu with 200 more Indians evacuated from Maldives. Incidentally, the woman, a nurse by profession, returned on the ‘Mother’s Day’ and was felicitated on the eve of the ‘Nurses’ Day.’ Moreover, she had undergone miscarriage on some earlier occasions.
Giving details about the felicitation, navy officials said the young mother Sonia Jacob was honoured by the Southern Naval Command (SNC) at Kinder Multispeciality Hospital, Ernakulam. The SNC representative, Lieutenant Commander Remya Savy met Sonia’s parents KA and Beena Jacob as the COVID protocols prevented physical contact with the passengers.
The Naval officer presented the parents with a floral bouquet and conveyed greetings and best wishes to the extended family on behalf of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief SNC on the much awaited new arrival into the family while expressing the happiness in the Navy being instrumental in bringing Sonia Jacob to the motherland on “Mother’s Day” and into a long cherished Motherhood.
Remya subsequently also connected with Sonia and Shijo, her spouse, who are both under institutional quarantine, via videocall and congratulated the proud parents wishing the baby boy health, happiness and a long life. The family members on their part conveyed the gratitude and appreciation of Sonia to the Navy for the care and comfort accorded to her on board the naval ship throughout the passage.
Later, Remya said it is indeed a proud moment for all personnel in the Navy, particularly the crew of INS Jalashwa to be associated with this special moment in the couple’s life considering the number of miscarriages which occurred previously with Sonia. She highlighted the fact that it was also special for her to be able to wish Sonia who is a nurse by profession, on the eve of the “Nurse’s day” in the backdrop of CoViD19 pandemic. Managing Director, Kinder Hospital Praveen Kumar Arjunan and Chief Operating Officer Narain Gunaseelan Pillai and other hospital staff members were also present on the occasion.