Bengaluru, December 25: Padma Shri awardee Sulagitti Narasamma passed away at the age of 98 years in Bengaluru on Tuesday afternoon. She had helped deliver more than 15,000 babies in Krishnapura, a remote village in Pavagada taluk in Karnataka. She breathed her last at BGS Gleneagles Global Hospitals in Kengeri in Bengaluru. Last Month, she was admitted the Siddaganga Hospital and Research Centre and was later referred to BGS Hospitals on November 29

Narasamma was suffering from chronic lung decease and was on a ventilator for the last five days. She is survived by four sons, three daughters and 36 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2018. Former Karnataka chief minister BS Yeddyurappa visited the hospital and mourned the death of the social activist. International Day of the Midwife: 4 Reasons Why India Needs More Midwives.

The Padam Shri awardee mostly provided free midwifery services in the backward region of Karnataka. She was also honoured with the National Citizen's award of India in 2012. Narasamma was born in Krishnapura, Pavagada taluk in Tumkur district. Narasamma belonged to a nomadic race and had no educational background. She married her husband, Anjinappa, at the age of 12.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 25, 2018 06:32 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).