PTI By

KOLKATA: Eminent author and social activist Mahasweta Devi, whose writings focused on the marginalised communities in the country and served as the voice of the oppressed, died here today after a multi-organ failure. She was 91.

P. Tandon, CEO of Belle Vue nursing home, where she was admitted since May 22, said she was suffering from multi-organ failure and died at 3.16 PM. She suffered a cardiac arrest following the multi-organ failure.

"Her condition deteriorated at 3 PM. We tried our level best, but suddenly her condition became very bad and at 3.16 PM she passed away," he said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled her death and said the country has lost a great writer.

"India has lost a great writer. Bengal has lost a glorious mother. I have lost a personal guide. Mahashweta Di rest in peace", she tweeted. Awarded the Sahitya Akademi and Jnanpith awards for literary excellence, Devi helped tribals and the rural dispossessed in organising themselves in groups so that they could take up development activities in their own areas.

She founded several grassroot level societies for the welfare of tribals.