A 40-year-old woman lost her life after bravely attempting to protect children from a sudden bee attack at an Anganwadi centre in Madhya Pradesh’s Neemuch district on Monday afternoon.
The incident occurred at Ranpur village under the Madawada Panchayat area. The deceased, Kanchan Bai Meghwal, was the head of a self-help group responsible for preparing mid-day meals at the Anganwadi centre.
Act of courage amid panic
According to local residents, children enrolled at the Anganwadi centre were playing outside as part of their routine activities when a swarm of bees suddenly descended near the premises, triggering panic.
Kanchan Bai acted swiftly, wrapping the children in available tarpaulin sheets and floor mats and moving them into a room to ensure their safety. In the process, she placed herself between the children and the bees and was stung multiple times.
She was rushed to a nearby hospital in a critical condition but was declared dead on arrival. Her body was handed over to the family after a postmortem examination on Tuesday.
Sole breadwinner of the family
Villagers said Kanchan Bai was the president of the ‘Jai Mata Di’ self-help group and played a key role in running the Anganwadi kitchen. Her husband, Shivlal, is paralysed and unable to work, making her the sole earning member of the family.
She is survived by three children — a son and two daughters. Her sudden death has left the family facing severe emotional and financial distress.
Safety concerns raised by villagers
Residents have raised concerns about the safety of the Anganwadi centre, pointing out that a beehive is located on a tree close to the facility. The village’s only functional handpump, used daily by residents, is also situated near the same tree.
Villagers have urged the district administration to remove the beehive immediately and provide financial assistance to Kanchan Bai’s family, calling her actions a rare act of courage and sacrifice.