Bhubaneswar: Debabala Ray, former Principal of the Ramadevi Women's College and the Joint Director of Public Instruction (DPI) passed away at 12.3O AM today. She was 95. She was teaching economics to the college students.

Debabala Ray was known for her strict discipline, academic proficiency and high integrity. She made philanthropic donations for the setting up of the Barada Hospital of the Ashram. She led a simple and pious life and remained unmarried.

Her father was Justice Bira Kishore Ray, the first Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court. Her brother Sukanta Kishore Ray was also the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court. Her other brothers were Justice Bijay Kishore Ray, a Judge of the Orissa High Court; Nikunja Kishore Ray, Indian Police and Flying Officer Subhas Kishore Ray who died during the World War-II. Her younger sister Aryabala Prasad stays in Michigan State.