Ela Bhatt
SEWA founder and women activist Ela Bhatt passes away at 89; PM Modi, Congress leaders condole
Women's rights activist and Padmabhushan recipient Ela Bhatt passed away on Wednesday at the age of 89.
A well-known Gandhian, Bhatt founded and headed the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) through which she worked to uplift the lives of millions of women and provided them with micro-loans in her pursuit to make them economically literate and empowered.
"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
— SEWA Bharat (@SEWABharat) November 2, 2022
A pioneer in advocating for women workers' rights, we strive to carry her legacy forward.#ElaBhatt #RIP pic.twitter.com/HaLHowwniF
She founded India’s first women’s bank, the Cooperative Bank of SEWA in 1973. She also co-founded Women’s World Banking in 1979.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled her death on Twitter.
"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," he wrote 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
Tweeting his condolence, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said that Bhatt has left behind an inspiring legacy.
Extremely saddened by the passing away of renowned Gandhian & founder of SEWA, Ela Bhatt ji.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 2, 2022
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
Known as a ‘gentle revolutionary’, Ela Bhatt was a founding member of The Elders — an international non-governmental organisation of senior statesmen, peace activists and human rights activists brought together by Nelson Mandela in 2007.
She worked with the organisation from 2007 till 2016 on issues like gender equality and wiping out social evils like child marriage.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that she remained undeterred by attacks on her in 'New India'.
Ela Bhatt was a truly iconic figure and a pioneer in the movement for empowerment in the unorganised sector, first in Gujarat and later across the country. SEWA is her greatest legacy and has made a huge difference to the lives of millions of women and their families.
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 2, 2022
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She has also served as a trustee of the Rockefeller Foundation for more than ten years.
Awards and honours
She was awarded India's fourth-highest civilian honour Padma Shri in 1985 and the third-highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in 1986.
For her efforts in empowering women through entrepreneurship, the Gandhi Peace Prize was conferred on her in 2011.
She also won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1977.
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