Sushila Devi, Odisha Governor Ganeshi Lal’s wife, passed away on Sunday night at the age of 74. Devi had been admitted to SUM Ultimate Hospital in Bhubaneshwar City after testing positive for COVID-19 on November 2. Besides Devi, the governor and four other family members had also tested positive for coronavirus. As per OdishaTV, the mortal remains of Sushila Devi have been brought to Raj Bhawan where relatives, well-wishers and others can pay their respects. Her last rites will be reportedly performed at Swargadwar in Puri today, November 23. A Times of India report cited hospital authorities saying that Devi was being treated for “ post-covid complications and other comorbidities.”
The governor’s office announced the same via their official Twitter handle, “With profound grief and heavy heart, we inform that the First Lady of the State Smt Sushila Devi passed away yesterday night. Let us pray for the departed holy soul. Om Shanti! ”The “First Lady of Odisha”, Devi’s demise was condoled by various notable personalities. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed great sorrow and described her as a “warm and pious person. ”Andhra Pradesh Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan wrote that Devi was a “warm and kind person” who participated in several aid programmes for the needy in his condolatory tweet.