SHILLONG, April 27: Officers in the Meghalaya government besides those that retired came together on Tuesday in a meeting to mourn the demise of Parul Devi Das, Assam’s first woman IAS officer, who even served Meghalaya at various capacities under different administrative portfolios.
Chief Secretary MS Rao presided over the meeting during which participants observed a two-minute silence in respect of the departed soul.
Born on April 2, 1950, Kumari Parul Devi Das joined the Indian Administrative Service and belongs to the 1975 batch. She was allotted to the Assam-Meghalaya Joint Cadre.
She served under the Meghalaya government in various capacities including Sub-Divisional Officer of Nongpoh, Director of Tourism, Joint Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, Education department, Youth & Sports department, Secretary of Home (Police) and Political departments, besides serving as Special Secretary to the Governor of Meghalaya, Commissioner & Secretary, Social Welfare, Cooperation, Relief & Rehabilitation departments among many others till her services were placed at the disposal of the Government of Assam in 1995.
“In the various offices held by her, she displayed high professional standard and discharged her duties with sincerity of purpose and with the highest degree of efficiency. Her friendly disposition and warmth made her popular not only with her colleagues but also with the public at large,” a statement issued here said.
On the other hand, members of Matri Mandir, Polo Ground, Shillong, have condoled the demise of Parul Devi Das, a life member of the institution, and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.
She had passed away on April 26 after falling prey to COVID-19.