Kolkata, July 28 : Eminent writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi, who ardently fought for the rights of the tribal and other marginalized sections, passed away here today after cardiac arrest following multi-organ failure.
She was 91 and had been suffering from kidney, lung and other age-related ailments for a long time.
Doctors at the private Belle Vue Clinic hospital, where she had been admitted on May 22, said she died of a cardiac arrest at 3.16 PM which was preceded by multi-organ failure.
Winner of numerous awards like the Padma Vibhushan, Magsaysay, Sahitya Akademi and Jnanpith, she had become the voice of the tribals and other oppressed classes with her writings.
Mahasweta spent considerable time in rural India to research on the lives of marginalised people like an academician and then use the power of her creativity to write soul-stirring stories about the lives of those ignored by the mainstream society.
Some of the best known work of the prolific writer and journalist include 'Hajar Churashir Ma' (Mother of 1084), 'Aranyer Adhikar' (Right to the Forest, 'Jhansir Rani' (The Queen of Jhansi), 'Agnigarbha' (The Fire Within), 'Rudali', 'Sidhu Kanhur Daakey', 'Bish-Ekush', 'Chotti Munda 0 Tar Teer' and 'Subhaga Basanta'.
Her attachment to tribals didn't stop with her literary works as she not only founded and patronised several tribal societies but also pleaded on their behalf with government authorities.
Mourning her death, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that her body would be kept at Peace World mortuary tonight and in the morning it would be brought to the cultural hub of Rabindra Sadan where the public can pay their last respects to the departed soul.
In the afternoon she will be cremated with full state honors.
"India has lost a great writer. Bengal has lost a glorious mother. I have lost a personal guide. Mahashweta Di rest in peace", Banerjee said recalling her association with Mahasweta who had supported her in the fight against acquisition of land in Singur and Nandigram.
