Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, Jul 31: Maharasthra state former health minister Dr Lalitha Rao (93), who basically hails from Dakshina Kannada District, passed away on Sunday July 28 at Sion hospital, here.

She was ill health from some time and was undergoing treatment in the same hospital.

She was living all alone in her bungalow ‘Kailas’, opposite J R Mehtha Park, near the hospital. She is from Inna village of Mangalore Taluk in Dakshina Kannada District. She has served as the Maharashtra state health minister from the year 1980 to 1985.

Maharastra state health minister, Suresh H Shetty, Karnataka state health minister U T Khadar, DK district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai, well known doctor and MD of Sanjeevani Hospital, Dr Suresh S Rao Kateel and many other leaders rendered their condolence to the departed soul.

A year back, she received a felicitation along with a sum of Rs10,000 from her student Suman Chiploonkar, and the members of Gokula Women Association.
She was the daughter of Late Dr Ayurvedic Bhushan M V Shastri from Mangalore and has served as a teacher in Mumbai, for a short span as well. She got married to P Venkatarao, a businessman. She is aunt of well-known Indian cricketer Ravi Shastri. She is survived by her son, who is settled in America.

She arrived to Mumbai at the age of 17, completed her metric and medical courses and later was the Mumbai Branch Indian Medical Association and was later appointed as the state branch vice president.

She has also represented India in the American medical conference held in 1979. She has also given medical aid to the people who took refuge during the Quit India movement.

She has also bagged various awards and felicitations for her social service, as well. She has the credit of introducing various health oriented program during her terms.