Ela Bhatt

In News

• Recently, Elaben Bhatt, noted Gandhian and leading women’s empowerment activist passed away in Ahmedabad.

About 

• Popularly known as Elaben 
• After graduation, Elaben joined the Textile Labour Association (or Majoor Mahajan)
• She was also a Member of the Rajya Sabha and of the Planning Commission of India in the 1980s.
• Achievements: 
  • Founded Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) as a small organization in 1972
  • Pioneering work in organising the informal sector for self-employment and empowerment of women not only in India but across South Asia. 
  • Served as an advisor to the World Bank, and addressed the United Nations General Assembly. 
  • Was the Chairperson of Sabarmati Ashram and the Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi-founded Gujarat Vidhyapith. 
• National and International Awards:
  • Padma Bhushan, 
  • the Ramon Magsaysay Award, 
  • the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize 

Source: IE