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Shanti Devi (social worker)

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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

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b c d e "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. ^ a b c d "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. ^ a b c "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. ^ a b "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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