Social activist and writer Mahasweta Devi 'very serious'

Kolkata, July 16: Social activist and writer Mahasweta Devi's condition continues to be "very serious" requiring life support, a doctor at the hospital where she is being treated said on Saturday.

"She is conscious but very serious. She is having respiratory trouble and her kidneys are not functioning properly. There is bacterial infection in her blood," the doctor said.

The 90-year-old has been undergoing routine dialysis.

She suffers from various ailments and was put on non-invasive ventilation on Thursday after her condition worsened.

The writer, who was honoured with the Jnanpith Award in 1996, has been undergoing treatment at a hospital here for about two months now.

IANS