As the nation was preparing for Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, a tribal woman lost her twins within minutes of delivery, at Botoshi village in Palghar district. An activist told mid-day that Vandana Budhar, 26, gave birth at home, as it was a premature delivery, and the newborns died on the way to hospital. “It is shameful that such incidents are happening even 75 years after India got Independence,” said another activist, Vivek Pandit.
 
The district officials could take time out for the grieving family in the tribal hamlet of Markatwadi pada only on Tuesday, as they were “busy in Independence Day preparations”.

Vandana, who was seven months pregnant, developed labour pain on the morning of August 13 and delivered the twins at home, Sita Ghatal, in-charge of a trust that provides free medical care to malnourished children and their mothers in the tribal belt of Palghar district, told mid-day.