As the Alappuzha-Dhanbad Express pulled away from Ernakulam South station on July 7, 2025, a tiny passenger named Nidhi—just weeks away from her six-month mark—slept soundly in the arms of an official from the Ernakulam District Child Protection Unit (DCPU).
Born in Kochi to migrant workers hailing from Jharkhand, Nidhi is now headed back to her parents’ home state. The Ernakulam Child Welfare Committee (CWC) approved the handover of her guardianship to the Jharkhand CWC. Accompanying her on the journey are six officials—three from the DCPU and three from the Special Juvenile Police Unit. Though the train reaches its destination on July 9, her parents must wait until Jharkhand authorities complete their own evaluation before reunification.
Nidhi’s story began when her mother, pregnant and in transit to Jharkhand, experienced labour pains aboard a train. She was rushed to Ernakulam General Hospital and gave birth on January 29, 2025. Born severely underweight and premature at just 950 grams, Nidhi was shifted to a private hospital for neonatal care.
After the mother’s discharge, both parents disappeared, later stating they lacked the money to stay. A police case was filed for alleged abandonment. Nidhi was moved back to GH and eventually placed in a government-registered child care facility in April. Kerala’s Health Minister named her “Nidhi”—a name meaning “treasure.”
A chance encounter in April with visiting Jharkhand police led to locating her parents. A virtual reunion was arranged—emotional and promising. After review, both CWCs and Kochi police supported her return.