Parul Devi Das, Assam's First Lady IAS Officer, Dies Of COVID-19

IAS officer Parul Devi Das succumbed to COVID-19 on Monday. She was undergoing treatment at the Apollo Hospital, Guwahati.

An Assam-Meghalaya cadre officer, Das served as the Additional Chief Secretary of Assam. She was the first woman IAS officer from Assam and briefly served Meghalaya in the early 80s. 

Daughter of former Minister Ramnath Das, the IAS officer was born in Shillong. Her father late Ramnath Das was a cabinet minister in undivided Assam. Her brother Naba Kumar Das is the retired Chief Secretary of Assam. She retired as Additional Chief Secretary in 2010.

As per sources, her mother Urmila Devi Das is also currently in the hospital suffering from COVID-19.

The Chief Minister of Assam, Sarbananda Sonowal has expressed grief over the demise of the retired IAS officer.

“Saddened to learn about the demise of Parul Devi Das, the first woman IAS officer from Assam, due to #COVID19. I convey my sincere condolences to bereaved family members and well-wishers,” the Chief Minister Tweeted.

Saddened to learn about the demise of Parul Devi Das, the first woman IAS officer from Assam, due to #COVID19. I convey my sincere condolences to bereaved family members and well-wishers. pic.twitter.com/LVz1S8lx9g

— Sarbananda Sonowal (@sarbanandsonwal) April 26, 2021

Assam Health, Finance and Education Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma condoled the death of Das.

অসমৰ প্ৰথমগৰাকী মহিলা ভাৰতীয় প্ৰশাসনিক সেৱাৰ (আই এ এছ) বিষয়া, ৰাজ্যৰ অৱসৰপ্ৰাপ্ত অতিৰিক্ত মুখ্য সচিব পাৰুল দেৱী দাসৰ বিয়োগত শোকাহত হৈছোঁ। তেখেতৰ বিদেহ আত্মাৰ সদগতি কামনা কৰাৰ লগতে শোকসন্তপ্ত পৰিয়ালবৰ্গলৈ মোৰ গভীৰ সমবেদনা জ্ঞাপন কৰিলোঁ। pic.twitter.com/rtUHrwzxBN

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 26, 2021

On Sunday, Assam reported 14 more deaths due to COVID-19 while the number of cases rose by 1,844 pushing the tally 2,37,533 the National Health Mission (NHM) said. Currently, the state has 15,470 active cases. Parul Devi Das and a young journalist were among 15 deaths Assam reported due to COVID-19 on Monday as the total number of active positive cases rose to 17,764.

Parul Devi Das, Assam's first lady IAS officer died due to Covid-19 at Apollo hospital today. She was the former Additional Chief Secretary of the State and daughter of former Minister Ramnath Das.@himantabiswa#TheAssamTribune #RIPParulDevi #IAS pic.twitter.com/0tHYQHMBiW

— The Assam Tribune (@assamtribuneoff) April 26, 2021

Ayushman Dutta, a 35-year-old journalist working with an English daily in Guwahati died in a private hospital. Dutta was also the founder of Eastern Beat Music Society and the organiser of the very popular Guwahati International Music Festival.

Health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said a total of 20,19,921 doses of vaccines have been administered in the state. This includes 16,04,687 first doses and 4,15,234 second doses. He said the total number of vaccines available in stock is 3,35,080.

Feature Image Credit: News Live