Mom goes to exam with 18-day-old baby

Do not be surprised if you hear an infant’s cries at the examination hall of BD Arts college in Lal Darwaza.

Kajal Chavda, student of second year Bachelor of Arts course, is currently appearing for her exams at the centre. Accompanying Chavda to the examination centre is her 18-day-old son.

When DNA spoke to Chavda, she said that she has to feed her baby every half an hour. “I have to appear for two exams every day. This takes six hours and I cannot leave him at home for so long. So my husband accompanies me to the centre and takes care of the baby while I write my papers,” she said.

She added that they bring the cradle, baby food etc with them. The college principal has arranged a small room on the ground floor so that Chavda does not have to climb the stairs.  The couple has had to make some compromises as well. Mukesh, her husband, said that their community does not permit mother and child to go out for one-and-half months after delivery. “But, we have to think of the future and education is equally important. So we decided to take this route,” he said.