BHUBANESWAR: Nilimarani, mother of Achyuta Samanta, educationist and founder of KISS and KIIT, passed away here on Tuesday morning. She was 89. Nilimarani fell ill on Monday and was admitted to KIMS Hospital. The end came about 10.30 am.
A social activist and religious person, she was very popular in Raghunathpur panchayat area of Jagatsinghpur district. She was instrumental in turning Kalarabanka into an ideal village where a charitable trust was set up to help women become self-reliant. A library, primary healthcare centre and an English medium high school were also established with the support of Nilimarani.
Although she lost her husband at the age of 40, Nilimarani brought up her seven children entirely on her own. She was staying with her youngest daughter Iti Samanta, editor of Odia magazine 'Kadambini' in Bhubaneswar. Her body was taken to her native place for the funeral rites.