Wayanad Collector Meghashree resumes work six days after delivery, begins maternity leave
Wayanad Collector Meghashree D R returned to duty six days after giving birth, and has now begun two months of maternity leave.
Wayanad District Collector Meghashree D R returned to work just six days after giving birth to her third daughter, before proceeding on two months of maternity leave on Wednesday.
According to officials familiar with the sequence of events, August 24 was an ordinary working day for the 2017-batch IAS officer, who attended her official duties and functions before checking herself into a hospital instead of going home. She delivered her third daughter the following day.
After resting for five days, she resumed work from the Collector's camp office on September 1, citing files that required the District Collector's sanction. On Wednesday, she handed over charge to her successor, Chelsasini V, and began her maternity leave.
On Tuesday, the District Collectorate witnessed an unusual farewell, as Meghashree arrived with her three daughters, including the newborn.
She has played down her decision to return to work so soon after delivery, describing it as a personal choice rather than an obligation. "The decision to continue discharging duties of the District Collector even after the delivery was personal. It is not mandatory that one takes maternity leave. The decision depends on an individual, her health and circumstances," she said.
During her brief return, she also held an online interaction with college students as part of her "Good Morning Collector" programme. She remains active on social media, where she describes herself as an IAS officer, wife, mother and proud daughter who finds happiness in the simple joys of life. In a September 5 Instagram video, she answered rapid-fire questions and said development, empowerment and conservation should go hand in hand in Wayanad.
A native of Chitradurga in Karnataka, Meghashree assumed office as Wayanad District Collector on July 10, 2024. She led the rescue and relief operations after the landslide that struck the district on July 30, and has since been involved in rehabilitating survivors and building the new township.