Eminent doctor and social worker Nirupama Rath dies

She was 85 and has been sick for the past several months. She is survived by three sons.

Her husband and a renowned lawyer Gangadhar Rath had predeceased her in March 2008. Her sister and a reputed writer Binapani Mohanty was at her bedside when the end came early today.

She was cremated at Khan Nagar crematorium here in the afternoon where her grandson Sanjay lit the funeral pyre in the presence of hundreds of mourners drawn from all walks of life.

Born in Kendrapara district in October 1925, Nirupama completed MBBS from S C B Medical College and Hospital here and pursued higher education in gynaecology in Kolkata and New Delhi, her family members said.

She then returned to Cuttack to join as a lecturer in S C B Medical College and Hospital.

She then switched to private practice after setting up her gynaecology hospital in the city that is still tipped to be one of the oldest and famous hospitals of the state.

Despite born in a conservative family, she preferred an inter-caste marriage way back in 1946.

She had written more than 20 books for which she had received Sahitya Akademy award in 2003. She had also won Soviet land Nehru award in 1972 and National Unity Award in 1993.

She had also set up Utkal Mahila Samiti and working women`s hostel.