Voice of poor & underprivileged, Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi passes away

New Delhi, January 17: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi and said that she will be remembered as a voice of the poor and underprivileged.

Social worker and Padma Shri awardee Shanti Devi passed away last night at her residence in Gunupur, Rayagada district in Odisha. She passed away at the age of 87. The PM said that she worked selflessly to remove suffering and create a healthier and more just society.

The PM said in a tweet, "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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Apart from the Padma Shri award, Shanti Devi was also felicitated with the Jamunalal Bazaz Award and Radhanath Rath Peace Award. Shanti Devi, also known as Lugdi Devi, received the prestigious Padma Shri award from President Ram Nath Kovind on November 9, 2021. She was known for her dedication towards the underprivileged community and restoring peace in the Maoist-affected areas in Odisha.