Kolkata: A government official working on the frontlines of West Bengal’s fight against coronavirus died on Monday morning, due to COVID-19, leaving behind her husband and a four-year-old son.
Debdatta Ray, the 38-year-old deputy magistrate of Chandannagar subdivision in Hooghly district, reported Covid-like symptoms earlier in the month, following which she was asked to quarantine at home, in Dum Dum area.
She developed severe respiratory distress on Sunday and was rushed to Shramjibi Hospital in Serampore, where she lost the battle against COVID-19 the next morning.
Given the role of handling the trains carrying migrants into Hooghly district, Debdatta Ray was applauded for her humane and sensitive handling of the difficult situation.
On Monday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences via Twitter, saying, “Grieved to hear about the untimely passing away of Debdatta Ray, who was posted as Deputy Magistrate & Deputy Collector in Chandannagar. A young WBCS (Exe) Officer, she was at the forefront fighting the pandemic & displayed outstanding devotion in discharge of her duties. I, on behalf of the Govt of West Bengal, salute her spirit & the sacrifice she’s made in service of the people of #Bengal. Spoke to her husband today & extended my deepest condolences. May the departed soul rest in peace & lord give her family strength to endure this loss.
A resident of Lichu Bagan in Dum Dum, Debdatta Ray was an officer of the 2010 batch of West Bengal Civil Services (WBCS) and stationed as a Block Development Officer (BDO) at Purulia before transferring to Chandannagar as Deputy Magistrate.
(inputs from NDTV)
