Eminent writer Mahasweta Devi given state funeral in Kolkata

Eminent author and social activist Mahasweta Devi, who breathed her last on Thursday evening, was accorded a state funeral by the West Bengal government on Friday.

Her last journey was supervised personally by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and shortly after, her body was kept for public viewing at the Rabindra Sadan.

Around 1pm, the hearse carrying Mahasweta Devi advanced towards the Keoratala burning ghat with the Chief Minister and other ministers accompanying it. She was given a gun salute at the burning ghat.

Mahasweta Devi, known for Hajar Churashir Maa, brought to the fore the cause of the downtrodden and underprivileged through this novel.

People from tribal areas for whom she always voiced her concerns, besides writers, artists and people from all walks of life came in hundreds to catch a glimpse of Devi at Rabindra Sadan.

Rest in peace Mahasweta Devi pic.twitter.com/vMWjn8dz9f

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) July 28, 2016

Devi had been suffering from old-age related ailments since a long time and died due to multi-organ failure around 3.16pm. She was 90 when she breathed her last at this South Kolkata hospital.

On Saturday night, she suffered a cardiac arrest, after which her health condition deteriorated. She was admitted at this hospital since May 22.