Asha worker travels 30 km on foot during lockdown to help pregnant women

Vasantha, who is an Asha worker gets a meager salary of Rs 1,500 and has to travel through difficult terrains to help pregnant women.

Through the hilly terrain of Kothagiri in the Nilgiri district, 50-year old Vasantha Kumari travels 30 kilometres to 15 tribal villages to help pregnant women and young mothers.For the last 10 years, Vasantha Kumari has been working as an Asha worker. During the lockdown, when there were no vehicles, Vasantha walked through difficult terrains to help pregnant women.As she holds the newborn baby in her hands, she teaches young mothers how to take care of them and how to keep them healthy."The government hasn't done anything for us. We still earn just Rs 1,500 per month," says Vasantha.There are around 50 families in each of these villages and being an Asha worker Vasantha makes sure she attends to everyone in need. Also read: NHRC notice to Centre, states on 'poor working conditions' of ASHA workers