First Lady Of Odisha Sushila Devi Passes Away At 74 Due To COVID-19

Sushila Devi, Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal’s wife, passed away on Sunday night at the age of 74. Devi had been admitted to SUM Ultimate Hospital in Bhubaneshwar City after testing positive for COVID-19 on November 2. Besides Devi, the governor and four other family members had also tested positive for coronavirus.

As per OdishaTV, the mortal remains of Sushila Devi have been brought to Raj Bhawan where relatives, well-wishers and others can pay their respects. Her last rites will be reportedly performed at Swargadwar in Puri today, November 23. A Times of India report cited hospital authorities saying that Devi was being treated for “ post-covid complications and other comorbidities.” The governor’s office announced the same via their official Twitter handle, “With profound grief and heavy heart, we inform that the First Lady of the State Smt Sushila Devi passed away yesterday night. Let us pray for the departed holy soul. Om Shanti!”

With profound grief and heavy heart, we inform that the First Lady of the State Smt Sushila Devi passed away yesterday night. Let us pray for the departed holy soul. Om Shanti! pic.twitter.com/RZjBH99opc

— Governor Odisha (@GovernorOdisha) November 23, 2020

Remembering The First Lady Of Odisha

The "First Lady of Odisha”, Devi’s demise was condoled by various notable personalities. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed great sorrow and described her as a “warm and pious person.”

Deeply saddened to learn about passing away of First Lady of the State, Smt Susheela Devi. She was a very warm and pious person. Convey my deep sympathy to Hon'ble @GovernorOdisha Prof Ganeshi Lal ji and family members. May her soul rest in peace.

— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) November 23, 2020

Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan wrote that Devi was a “warm and kind person” who participated in several aid programmes for the needy in his condolatory tweet.

Andhra Pradesh Governor Sri Biswa Busan Harichandan expressed profound grief & sadness at sudden passing away of First Lady of Odisha, Smt. #SusheelaDevi, wife of @GovernorOdisha Prof. Ganeshi Lal. pic.twitter.com/Qei42DZjz5

— Governor of Andhra Pradesh (@governorap) November 23, 2020

Baijayant Panda, Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) national vice president, also expressed grief at Devi’s “untimely” demise and offered condolences to Lal and his family.

Deeply saddened by the untimely passing of Odisha's First Lady Smt. Sushila Devi Ji, wife of H.E. @GovernorOdisha Prof. Ganeshi Lal Ji. Condolences to the family.
Om Shanti 🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/RZ5rgwkgVU

— Baijayant Jay Panda (@PandaJay) November 23, 2020

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Other people who condoled the late Sushila Devi’s death include Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha Assembly Speaker Surjya Narayan Patro, and BJP MLA Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra.

Picture Credits: Times of India

Tarini Gandhiok is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.