Shanti Devi, Social Worker Who Dedicated Her Life To Empowering Tribal Girls, Passes Away

Shanti Devi, prominent social activist from Odisha who committed herself to the upliftment of tribal girls over six decades, has passed away at the age of 88. As per reports, she breathed her last on the night of January 16 at her home in Rayagada. Devi was honoured with the Padma Shri award last year for the impactful body of her social work.

Tributes are pouring in from across the nation for Devi, who was among the foremost Gandhians of India, drawing inspiration from the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled her death writing on Twitter, "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."

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President Ram Nath Kovind recalled the "golden moment" he conferred Devi with India's fourth-highest civilian award in 2021, writing, "Her legacy & noble service will be forever known as the ‘voice of the poor and underprivileged’."

As per local reports, Devi suffered chest pain Sunday night that left her unconscious. She was rushed to hospital but was declared brought dead by doctors.

Born in Balasore in pre-independent India, Devi was married at a young age. Her social work took root in the local areas of Rayagada, where she assumed the role of a foster mother for man tribal girls deserving of empowerment, education and bright futures.

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Rayagada is recognised among the most backward regions in Odisha with a majority tribal population, according to the 2011 Census. The region is also hit by insurgency and Maoist terror. As such, the scope for local empowerment and development, especially gender-oriented, is massive in Rayagada, something Devi partook in for 60 years of her life.

Devi's contribution to social causes did not end there. As a social worker, she also committed herself to looking after leprosy patients and is reportedly also credited with eradicating yaws, a chronic skin infection, in the region.

With Devi's support, multiple orphanages and residences were set up in Rayagada and surrounding areas for tribal girls.