Odisha CM retracts Twitter post on actor Manimala Devi

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jun 16:

Hours after the goof-up in which Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the death of eminent Ollywood actor of yesteryear Manimala Devi on micro-blogging site Twitter, the chief minister today wished her an early recovery on the social media platform to avoid further embarrassment.

 

“Relieved to know Ms. Manimala Devi is bravely battling for life; retract earlier tweet responding to news. Prayers for her early recovery,” Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik tweeted.

Yesterday, the veteran actor’s son Shankar Ghosh had said: “My mother is alive, Even if she is on ventilator support, she is well.”

The goof-up:

A section of regional media had reported that the nonagenarian passed away after battling for life in a private hospital here, which turned out to be false.

Soon after this, the chief minister took to the Twitter last evening to express his condolences.

“Saddened by news of the demise of the doyen of Odia cinema Ms Manimala Devi. May her soul rest in peace,” Patnaik had tweeted yesterday.

However, the chief minister deleted the old post from his account today and wished early recovery.

Several people from the regional film industry, well-wishers and relatives rushed to the hospital to pay their last respect after the news spread yesterday. The actor’s son had a tough time telling the crowd that his mother was alive.

It may be mentioned here that the 90-year-old actor has been admitted to the hospital for old age-related complication since March this year. The veteran actor is suffering from severe chest congestion.

She has acted in over 40 feature films and over 100 plays, of which 14 films have bagged the national award, including her debut film ‘Sri Loknath’.

She was awarded the prestigious ‘Jayadev Purashkar’-the state’s highest cine award in the year 2000.