Shanti Devi
Devi in November 2021
Born(1934-04-18)18 April 1934[1]
Balasore district
Died16 January 2022(2022-01-16) (aged 87)
Rayagada, Odisha
NationalityIndian
OccupationSocial worker
Known forSocial activism
SpouseRatan Das
Awards
  • Padma Shri
  • Radhanath Rath Peace Award
  • Jamnalal Bajaj Award

Shanti Devi (18 April 1934 – 16 January 2022) was an Indian social worker born in 1934 in Balasore district of Indian state of Odisha.[2] She was awarded the Padma Shri award on 9 November 2021 by the President, Ram Nath Kovind at the Civil Investiture Ceremony-IV, at Rashtrapati Bhavan for her social works and efforts to bring peace in the Maoist-affected Rayagada region of Odisha.[3][1] Devi received the Radhanath Rath Peace Award and was awarded the Jamnalal Bajaj Award in 1994.[2][4]

Early life and education

Devi was born in a landlord family in Balasore district on 18 April 1934. She attended the college for two years and at the age of 17, she was married to Ratan Das, a doctor and follower of Gandhian ideology.[5]

Social work

President Ram Nath Kovind presenting the Padma Shri Award to Shanti Devi.

Devi was inspired by the ideology of the pacifist Vinobha Bhave. She took part in Bhave's Bhoodan Movement.[6] She began social work at the early age. Devi worked for the education and the betterment of tribal girls and destitute women.[7] She established an ashram at Gobarapalli in Rayagada district[8] and Seva Samaj at Gunupur in Odisha in 1964.[6][1] She also set up an ashram for leprosy patients in Jabarguda in the Rayagada district.[9] She is known for her efforts to establish peace in the Maoist-affected districts of Odisha[2][10] and for her work in Sankhalapadar village where the disease of Yaws was endemic. Devi was able to treat over 4,000 people who had the disease,[11][3] possibly with the help of nine other people, which can lead to disfigurement and disability.[12][13] Due to her efforts, the disease was eradicated from the village.[3][14]

Personal life

Devi was born on 18 April 1934 in the Balasore district of Odisha. At the age of 17, she was married to Ratan Das who was a doctor. After the marriage, they moved to Koraput district.[1] She died on 16 January 2022 at Rayagada district hospital.[2] She was 87. She is survived by her son Sidharth Das.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi passes away in Odisha – Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Noted social activist Shanti Devi passes away at 88 in Odisha; President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi extend condolences". Firstpost. 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  3. 1 2 3 "Padma Shri awardee and social activist Shanti Devi passes away". The Indian Express. 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  4. ↑ "Shanti Devi – Jamnalal Bajaj Award 1994 Recipient – Development & Welfare of Women and Children". Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. Archived from the original on 14 May 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "Odisha's noted Gandhian Padma Shri Shanti Devi passes away". Argus News. Archived from the original on 5 August 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Meet Shanti Devi, who is saving lives in Maoist-hit Rayagada". Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  7. ↑ Suffian, Mohammad (17 January 2022). "Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi passes away; PM Modi, Odisha CM mourn demise". India Today. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  8. ↑ "Odisha: Shanti Devi Dies at 88, Worked to Uplift Tribal Girls, Known for Peace Efforts in Maoist-hit Areas". News18. 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 14 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  9. ↑ "Noted social activist Shanti Devi passes away at 88 in Odisha; President Ram Nath Kovind, PM Modi extend condolences". Firstpost. 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 13 June 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  10. ↑ "Eminent social worker Padma Shri Shanti Devi breathes her last". Odisha News, Odisha Latest news, Odisha Daily – OrissaPOST. 17 January 2022. Archived from the original on 17 January 2022. Retrieved 14 June 2022.
  11. ↑ "Gandhian Shanti Devi passes away at 88 in Odisha – The New Indian Express". www.newindianexpress.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  12. ↑ Pradhan, Atul Chandra (August 2014). "The Sarvoday Movement in Odisha after Independence" (PDF). Odisha Review. p. 19. Archived (PDF) from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 6 July 2022.
  13. ↑ "Yaws". www.who.int. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
  14. ↑ "President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Smt. Shanti Devi for Social Work...She eradicated yaws disease..." Twitter. Archived from the original on 17 June 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2022.
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