Woman gives birth on launch to Barishal, family gets free lifetime travel pass

A woman went into labour on mid-river and soon afterwards delivered a baby boy while travelling by launch from Dhaka to Barishal. 

Prince Awlad-10 superviser Zillur Rahman said the launch authorities subsequently rewarded the boy and his parents with free travel privileges for life.

According to family members, Jhumur Begum, wife of Harisur Rahman, from Jamalpur, gave birth onboard the around 1 am on Friday. 

Her due date is still three weeks away, said her brother. Jhumur was accompanied by her brother and his wife. 

"The vessel was in the middle of its journey when the started to have labour pain around 9:30pm. She was on the first deck but we offered her a cabin for her convenience," said Zillur.

“But she was not in a position to walk and take the stairs to go to the cabin. So she stayed back on the deck. Later, we asked the male passengers there to leave. Another woman and a nurse from Barishal Medical College Hospital helped her give birth to her child," he added.

As he was born on the launch, the baby and his parents will be able to travel for free for life, said Zillur . 

On behalf of Awlad Shiping Lines Director Md Juboraj, the child was given Tk 10,000 in cash as a gift.