Lata Mangeshkar put on ventilator after health deteriorates

Famed Indian singer and Bharat Ratna winner Lata Mangeshkar was put on a ventilator on Saturday after her health deteriorated and remains in critical condition.

Mangeshkar is under the care of Dr Pratit Samdani of the Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai.

“She is on a ventilator. She is still in ICU and will remain under the observation of doctors,” reported news agency ANI, quoting Dr Samdani.

Also read | Yogi exudes ‘double-engine’ confidence, condemns attack on Owaisi

The 92-year-old was hospitalised in January after testing positive for COVID-19. She has since been diagnosed with pneumonia.

Despite her long stay at the hospital, the Bharat Ratna winner had been showing signs of improvement until Saturday.

On January 27, her family had released a statement, saying, “Lata didi continues to be in the ICU at Breach Candy Hospital, Mumbai under treatment. She has been given a trial of extubation (off the invasive ventilator ) this morning. Presently, she is showing signs of improvement but will remain under observation of the team of doctors headed by Dr Pratit Samdani. We thank each one of you for your prayers and good wishes.”

Also read | Why dropping G-23 leaders from star campaigner list may spell trouble for Congress in Punjab

Also known as the Nightingale of India, the 92-year-old is one of the most celebrated music icons in India. Mangeshkar has recorded over 1,000 Hindi songs over the course of her lengthy career and has numerous honours to her name.

The 92-year-old was given the Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Government of India in 1989, and is the second vocalist after M S Subbulakshmi to be awarded the Bharat Ratna.

Mangeshkar has also received three National Film Awards, four Filmfare Best Female Playback Awards, two Filmfare Special Awards, a Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and many more.