Shanti Devi

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.

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. She began social work at the early age. Devi worked for the education and the betterment of tribal girls and destitute women. She established an ashram at Gobarapalli in Rayagada district and Seva Samaj at Gunupur in Odisha in 1964. She is known for her efforts to establish peace in the Maoist-affected districts of Odisha 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, Due to her efforts, the disease was eradicated from the village.

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. She died on 16 January 2022 at Rayagada district hospital. She was 87. She is survived by her son Sidharth Das.