Netizens set Twitter abuzz as UP IAS officer Saumya Pandey Resumes Work Within 2 Weeks of Having a Baby!

Byline by – Vinayak Heliwal

A video of an IAS officer resuming work two weeks after delivering her child is doing the rounds of the internet and has gone viral on social media.

Modinagar sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Saumya Pandey who was appointed as the nodal officer for Covid in Ghaziabad district rejoined office just 14 days after giving birth.

Saumya Pandey on Tuesday resumed her Covid-19 duties after cutting short her maternity leave.Pandey was working as a nodal officer for Covid-19 in Ghaziabad between July to September. The officer went on her pregnancy leave in September for 22 days and two weeks after delivery has now joined the tehsil.

Dr Prashanth, a Twitter user, shared the short clip of Soumya Pandey as she attended office with her baby so as to resume work.

In the clip Soumya Pandey was seated at her desk and carried her newborn baby in her lap as she continued with her work.

“I am an IAS officer so I have to look after my service. Due to Covid-19, there is a responsibility on all. God has given women the strength to give birth to her child and care for the child. In rural India, women do their household and work related to their livelihood in pregnancy during the near days of delivery and after giving birth they take care of the child and also manage their work and household. Similarly, it is the blessings of God that I am able to do my administrative work with my three week old girl child,” Pandey said after joining back.

Soumya Video has gone viral on Twitter with over 15,000 views. The netizens, however, are divided. While some users are applauding the woman while several others schooled her what they termed was ‘irresponsible behavior’.

Bringing a newborn to work during a pandemic is not appreciable. Not availing maternity leave is her choice but why risking the infant’s life? A user said on Twitter.

Another comment reads,Her PR stunt went bad. A lesson to other officers who are parents, who may now keep their personal and professional life at balance!

Meanwhile reflecting a strong resolve towards her duties, Pandey also asked all pregnant women to take necessary precautions while working during Covid -19 pandemic.