Padma Bhushan Recipient And Women's Rights Activist Ela Bhatt Passes Away At 89

Ela Bhatt breathed her last in Ahmedabad hospital on Wednesday. She has been awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1977.

Noted women's rights and micro-finance activist, lawyer and Padma Bhushan recipient Ela Bhatt (Source: Twitter/@kharge)

Ela Bhatt, the founder of Sewa Sanstha, passed away on Wednesday, November 2, at the age of 89, as reported by the news agency PTI. Ela breathed her last in Ahmedabad hospital on Wednesday. She has been awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1977, the Right Livelihood Award in 1986 and Padma Bhushan. He did many remarkable works for women's employment.

Women's rights activist Ela Bhatt passes away, say her associates

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 2, 2022

“It is with profound grief that we announce the passing away of our beloved and respected founder, Smt. Elaben Bhatt, a pioneer in advocating for women workers' rights, we strive to carry her legacy forward,” SEWA Bharat tweeted.

It is with profound grief that we announce the passing away of our beloved and respected founder, Smt. #ElabenBhatt

A pioneer in advocating for women workers' rights, we strive to carry her legacy forward.#ElaBhatt #RIP pic.twitter.com/HaLHowwniF

— SEWA Bharat (@SEWABharat) November 2, 2022

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled her death.

"Sad to know about the death of Elaben Bhatt. She will be remembered long for her work for the promotion of women empowerment, social service and education among the youth. Condolences to her family members and admirers," Modi tweeted in Gujarati.

ઇલાબેન ભટ્ટના અવસાનથી દુઃખ થયું. મહિલા સશક્તિકરણ, સમાજ સેવા અને યુવાનોમાં શિક્ષણને આગળ વધારવા માટેના પ્રયાસો માટે તેઓને દીર્ઘકાળ સુધી યાદ રાખવામાં આવશે. તેમના પરિવારજનો તથા પ્રશંસકો પ્રત્યે સંવેદના. ૐ શાંતિ…॥

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 2, 2022

Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his condolences and said that Ela has left behind an inspiring legacy.

"Extremely saddened by the passing away of renowned Gandhian & founder of SEWA, Ela Bhatt ji. A Padma Bhushan recipient and a pioneer of women's rights, she devoted her life in empowering them through grassroots entrepreneurship. Her exceptional legacy shall always inspire."

Extremely saddened by the passing away of renowned Gandhian & founder of SEWA, Ela Bhatt ji.

A Padma Bhushan recipient and a pioneer of women's rights, she devoted her life in empowering them through grassroots entrepreneurship.

Her exceptional legacy shall always inspire. pic.twitter.com/OjtQoOeEgj

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 2, 2022

Who Was Ela Bhatt?

Ela Bhatt was a famous Gandhian and advocated the economic empowerment of women. She established and led a Self-Employed Women's Association (Sewa) in India and served as its general secretary from 1972 to 1996. In her search for the economic welfare of women, she founded India's first Mahila Bank, Cooperative Bank of Sewa in 1973. She also co-established women's world banking in 1979.

She received India's fourth largest civilian honor in 1985 Padma Shri and the third highest civilian honor in 1986, Padma Bhushan. For her efforts to empower women through entrepreneurship, she received the Gandhi Peace Prize in 2011.

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