Udit Pratap Deo, the Former king of Kalahandi which was a princely state of Odisha,
but now a district, has passed away in a private hospital at the age of 71 on September 2, 2019.
When Banita looked at the older woman, she could not help but remember with bitterness
that dark day in July 1985 when Phanas- despairing of an extra mouth to feed in poverty- stricken Kalahandi- had sold her to the half-
blind, penurious Bidyadhar for Rs 40, just enough for her to buy 3 kg of rice and a sari.