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]
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]
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]
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]
Lokasi Pengunjung: 3.129.210.137