New Delhi, Nov 5: Popular folk singer Sharda Sinha, who was undergoing treatment at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Delhi, passed away on Tuesday night. She was 72.

"Sharda Sinha expired at 9.20 pm due to refractory shock as a result of septicemia," an AIIMS official said.

Sinha was known among her fans for folk songs such as "Kartik Maas Ijoriya" and "Koyal Bin" as well as Bollywood numbers "Taar Bijli" from "Gangs of Wasseypur- II" and "Babul" from "Hum Aapke Hain Koun".

Earlier, AIIMS said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is continuously monitoring Sinha's condition and has prayed for her speedy recovery.

Sinha, a Padma Bhushan recipient synonymous with folk songs in Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Maghahi languages, was on ventilator support following a health complication due to multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer.

The singer was admitted to the intensive care unit of Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (IRCH), the cancer institute of AIIMS, last month.

"Noted folk singer, Smt. Sharda Sinha is admitted in AIIMS, New Delhi for treatment. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji is continuously monitoring her condition and is in direct contact with the treating doctors. He has conveyed his prayers for her good health and speedy recovery through the treating team," AIIMS in a post on X said earlier.

Later in the day, Union minister Giriraj Singh visited the ailing artist at AIIMS.

On Monday evening, Food Processing Minister and Lok Sabha MP from Hajipur, Chirag Paswan also visited the hospital.

Known as Bihar Kokila, Supaul-born Sinha was famous in her native state and parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh courtesy her folk songs sung on occasions like Chhath Puja and weddings.

Some of her popular tracks are "Chhathi Maiya Aayi Na Duaariya", "Kartik Maas Ijoriya", "Dwar Chekai", "Patna Se", and "Koyal Bin".

The singer had been battling multiple myeloma since 2017.

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Bengaluru: Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has said there is no proposal at present to increase bus fares in the state, even if diesel prices go up.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Wednesday, Reddy said he was not aware of any decision to raise diesel prices and added that it would be welcome if no such hike takes place.

He said that although an increase in diesel prices would add to the financial burden of state-run transport corporations such as Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, no discussion has been held so far regarding a revision in passenger fares.


Commenting on the recent salary revision for transport corporation employees, the minister said the government had already conveyed its decision and declined to comment on reports that some employees were dissatisfied with the announcement.

On the delay in holding elections to the Greater Bengaluru Authority, Reddy said it was natural for aspirants to feel disappointed and acknowledged that the postponement was also increasing pressure on party leaders.

He said Bengaluru’s infrastructure development since 1947 had seen substantial progress during Congress governments, but added that questions regarding the reasons for postponing the elections should be addressed to Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.

Reddy also said he had no information regarding any power-sharing arrangement within the government, but was aware of discussions on a cabinet reshuffle.

He noted that he had travelled to New Delhi only three times in the past three years and said it would be good if the cabinet expansion takes place soon.

According to him, there had been indications that the expansion would occur after two and a half years in office, but it has already been delayed by six months.