Guwahati, Sept. 5 -- On a chilling Monday night at Silbori village in Assam's Udalguri district, an 8-year-old girl was bitten by a venomous black king cobra while sleeping beside her grandmother.

The snake, drawn to warmth, struck Muskan's left hand, triggering panic in the small village. Fortunately, it became trapped in a fishing net under the bed.

Her family rushed her to Mangaldai Civil Hospital by 1.30 am, but by morning, Muskan's condition had worsened; she lost her ability to speak, her body stiffened, and classic neurotoxic symptoms appeared.

Pediatrician Dr. Gautam Bora administered antivenom but recognized that her survival depended on artificial ventilation, which the hospital lacked.

At this critical hour, Dr. Bora contac...