In a government hospital in Rajasthan, a young woman named Lakshmi enters for her prenatal checkup, her heart pounding with fear. It is her first pregnancy, and so many unknowns lie ahead. Will she face this journey alone? Then something unexpected happens… she is greeted by a midwife who wears pink scrubs and a moustache. Yes, a male midwife. He speaks softly, explains everything clearly, and includes her husband in the conversation, showing him how to support her. In that moment, Lakshmi’s isolation transforms into connection. Her fear dissolves into confidence. Over the past two decades, India’s commitment to maternal healthcare has been driven by a series of government-led initiatives (AP/ Representational image) This is not just Lakshmi’s story. This is the future of maternal healthcare in India, where no woman walks alone. India has reduced maternal deaths by 78% between 2000 and 2023. This means one million more mothers are alive today, raising children and building communities. How did this happen? Over the past two decades, India’s commitment to maternal healthcare has been driven …