Dr Shanta was admitted in a city-based private hospital on the early hours of Tuesday after she complained of chest discomfort.

Her remains will be placed at the Cancer Institute building for public homage, reports said.

Dr Viswanathan Shanta, 93, was also a Padma Vibhushan recipient. Her remarkable journey and her contribution to the field of oncology is immeasurable.

Hailing from a family of Nobel laureates - Sir CV Raman and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Dr Shanta was an alumna of Madras Medical College. After her postgraduation, she joined the Cancer Institute in 1955 which had just opened. With more than 60 years of service, Shanta rose from being a resident doctor to becoming the Chairman of the Adyar Cancer Institute. She has also served as a member of the World Health Organization's Advisory Committee.