Kavita Devi popularly known as the Kabita Behan who has been the spiritual head of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ishwariya Vishwa Vidyalaya’s  Tripura and Bangladesh branches breathed her last on Friday. She was 55 when she left for her heavenly abode on Friday morning.

She was the life and soul of the ‘Ashram’ and universally respected for her spiritual knowledge and work for public welfare. She has disciples in countries like Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar. Kavita Behan had been in Tripura since the founding of the ‘Ashram’ in the year 1995.

 Kavita Behan was of Nepali origin and born in Tezpur of Assam in the year 1968. As a meritorious student dedicated to acquiring knowledge and spiritual pursuits she graduated with honours in geography and then turned her attention to studies on spiritualism. She spent a lot of time in Mount Abu in Rajasthan where her brother is a doctor. Having made progress in her studies and spiritual pursuits Kavita Behan came to Tripura in early 1995 and set up the ‘Brahma Kumari Ashram’ which soon gained in popularity because of her amiable and sweet personality and knowledge. Kavita Behan was fluent in a number of languages and could impress anyone with her great personality. She was also involved in spreading ‘Ashrams’ in as many as 17 countries of the world.

Her premature death has left a void in the spiritual life of Tripura and the social service sector to which she was dedicated. The countless followers of the ‘Brahma Kumaris Ashram and her devoted disciples deeply grieved her untimely death and vowed to work tirelessly to complete the mission she had initiated.

Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha visited the Prajapita Brahma Kumaris Ashram at Aralia  in Agartala to pay his floral tributes. "I am shocked at the sudden demise of Kavita Devi. Her passing is an irreparable loss. She has inspired everyone to follow the righteous path and conveyed condolences to the bereaved  Brahmakumari family members. May her departed soul rest in peace. Om Shanti," the chief minister said in a Facebook post.

Former chief minister Manik Sarkar accompanied by his wife  Panchali Bhattacjherjee also rushed to Aralia to pay floral tributes to the departed spiritual leader Kavita Behan and expressed their deep sorrow and condolence to the bereaved followers. Manik Sarkar also recalled her grand benevolent services in maintaining peace and tranquility in society through spiritual practice.

The calm and polite smiling Kavita Devi, was reportedly suffering from hepatitis ailments for the past few years, said an official." She was gradually losing her vitality and strength to sustain her daily activities and was admitted to a private hospital in Agartala last week after her condition worsened and breathed her last on Friday.