Eminent writer and social activist Mahasweta Devi passed away at a city nursing home on Thursday following prolonged illness, an attending doctor said. She was 90. The Ramon Magsaysay winner is survived by her daughter-in-law and grandchild. Mahasweta Devi's son pre-deceased her two years ago. Mahasweta Devi was a teacher at Bijoygarh College in 1964 and also worked as a journalist.