The 72-year-old breathed her last at Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai. The 1972 batch IAS officer was admitted to the hospital after she was diagnosed with Covid-19.
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Neela Satyanarayan, the woman who fought mental and gender discrimination
Satyanarayan was an additional chief secretary of the revenue department and post-retirement in 2009, she was appointed as the state election commissioner.
In an interview with the Indian Express, Neela Satyanarayan said, "I am a 1972 batch officer and have been associated with this field for the last 42 years and there have been several ups and downs. There are posts that are not given to you because you are a woman and there are positions where you have to repeatedly prove yourself because you are a woman."
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When I was appointed the first state woman election commissioner, there was a huge hue and cry on whether I would be able to manage the position, however, I did serve my term well.
On hurdles posed by politicians, she said if you are firm, then you have to maintain your stand even if there is political pressure. It might upset you at that point but there is always the next mountain to climb and the next challenge.
Several political leaders took to Twitter to pay their tribute
She was a humble person and highly talented, she has written books. She was willing to help others," said Johny Joseph, Former secretary, and her batchmate.
Neela Satyanarayan, The Prolific writer
Besides her official duties, Satyanarayan was also an author. After retirement, she wrote a Marathi novel Rounn, which was adapted into a Marathi movie Judgment that revolves around a murder committed by an IAS officer with his child as the key witness in the case.
Satyanarayan has written 23 books in genres such as poetry and prose, novels, and even film lyrics.
As per the health ministry, Maharashtra remains the worst-affected state with a total of 275640 COVID-19 cases and 10,928 fatalities as on Thursday.