Bengaluru: Padmashree Sulagitti Narasamma (98), renowned midwife, who bagged Padmashree for her valuable service passed away here on Tuesday, December 25.

She was suffering from respiratory issues and also had age-related ailments for which she was admitted to BGS Hospital a couple of days ago. The doctors confirmed her death at around 3 PM.

She has received Devaraj Urs Award in 2012, Kittur Rani Chennamma Award, National Citizen Award and Karnataka Rajyotsav Award in 2013, a doctorate from Tumkur University in 2014 and Padmashree in the year 2018.

She was a prominent, respected and lovable delivery expert in the rural parts of the state. Sulagitti Narasamma has to her credit facilitating 15,000 deliveries, all free of cost over 70 years of her service.

She was born in Pavagada of Tumakuru district.