Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi passes away; PM Modi, Odisha CM mourn demise

Shanti Devi, a well-known Gandhian and social worker from Odisha, passed away on late Sunday night at Gunupur in Rayagada district of Odisha. She was 88. She served the poor for six decades in the Maoist-dominated Rayagada district.

Shanti Devi was recently conferred with India’s third highest civilian honor, Padma Shri, by President Ram Nath Kovind for her six decades of service among poor and marginalized sections and upliftment of tribal girls. She was known for her work on the eradication of Yaws, a chronic bacterial infection.

Born on April 18, 1934, in Balasore, Shanti Devi had moved to Koraput after her marriage to Dr Ratan Das at the age of 17. She started her career as a social worker with the support of her husband.

Worked for tribal girls' education

She met Gandhian follower Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 1955-56. Inspired by his ideology, she started working for the development of tribals, destitute women and orphaned girls and took part in his Bhoodan Movement.

Devi started social work by founding an ashram at Gobarapalli in Rayagada district and worked for the development and education of tribal girls. Later, she shifted to Gunupur and founded the Seva Samaj ashram in 1964 to provide education to tribal girls.

PM Modi, Odisha CM condole demise

Following her demise, condolences poured in from different quarters and political leaders paid their rich tributes to her.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and condoled the death of Padma Shri Shanti Devi. He wrote, "Shanti Devi Ji will be remembered as a voice of the poor and underprivileged. She worked selflessly to remove suffering and create a healthier as well as just society. Pained by her demise. My thoughts are with her family and countless admirers. Om Shanti." (sic)

pic.twitter.com/UBFDPDSvtm — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 17, 2022

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also mourned her loss and wrote, "Deeply saddened to learn of the death of Padma Shri Award-winner social worker Shanti Devi, her lifelong efforts to help the helpless and tribal have always been inspiring. Her contribution to social work is invaluable. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and wish them well." (sic)

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) January 17, 2022

On the other hand, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted, "I am saddened to hear of the demise of Padma Shri Shanti Devi, a prominent social activist. In the tribal-dominated Rayagada district, she devoted herself to tribal services, orphaned girls and helpless women. Her rare service will be a monument to the Odia people." (sic)

, — Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) January 17, 2022

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