The first death anniversary of Basanti Vibhavwala was celebrated in a devotional atmosphere filled with spiritual upliftment. The family organized a tribute meeting at the Shaheed Laxman Nayak Community Hall in Hilpatna, Brahmapur, where family members, friends, relatives, admirers, and dignitaries gathered to honor her immortal soul. Basanti Vibhavwala ascended to heaven on the holy Astami date of the Ashwin month last year.
Among the attendees were her husband, Minketan Vibhavwala, a former mechanical engineer with the Odisha State Transport Corporation, their elder son Shiv Ranjan Vibhavwala, who serves as the General Secretary of the World Odisha Society in Manchester, and other family members including daughter Smita Behera, son-in-law Saroj Kumar Behera, and grandchildren Sneha, Sanvi, Saurabh, Shraddha, Adith, and Sai. Close friends and relatives, including Udaynath Vishwawala, Bipin Bihari Vishwawala, and Lily Jena, also paid their respects.
Basanti was remembered as a pious, simple, and charitable woman, born on 21 September 1957 in Natenga village, Bhanjanagar, to Sushma Nayak and Abhimanyu Nayak. She grew up in a family with six sisters and one brother, including former actress Manjula Swayam.
Basanti married Meenketan Vibhavwala on 3 March 1976 and was a devoted follower of spiritual guru Madhab Baba, founder of the Sudharma Mahasangha in Bahadalpur, Jajpur. She was known for her philanthropic nature and her deep devotion to God.
Eminent singers Shivashis Samal and Rashmita Das performed bhajans during the memorial gathering, supported by musicians Sitashanshu Rout, Basant Thiyadi, and Nityananda Guru.
Dignitaries who paid their respects included Achyutananda Mishra, president of the World Odisha Society Kishore Dwivedi, and principal of GHKB College of Arts and Culture Kaberi Behera, among others. They laid flowers on Basanti’s portrait and offered prayers for her eternal peace. The gathering celebrated her life and contributions to family and community, leaving a lasting impact on all who attended.