Noted women empowerment activist and SEWA founder Ela Bhatt passes away at 89

Renowned lawyer and women empowerment activist and Padma Bhushan winner Ela Bhatt breathed her last on Wednesday (November 2) at an Ahmedabad hospital. She was 89 years old. Bhatt was the founder of SEWA (Self-Employed Women’s Association), one of the largest women’s cooperatives and trade unions in India. Established in 1972, SEWA boasts of a membership base of over 2.1 million poor, self-employed women from over 18 states. She was also one of the founders of Women's World Banking, a non-profit organisation, that she founder in 1979 along with Ghanaian entrepreneur Esther Ocloo and Michaela Walsh. A passionate Gandhian, Bhatt also served as the chairperson of the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust (SAPMT). Bhatt had also served as the Chancellor of Gujarat Vidyapeeth (founded by Mahatma Gandhi) but recently stepped down due to her failing health.

She was awarded the Padma Shri award in 1985 as well as the Padma Bhushan award in 1986, for her extensive contribution in the field of women empowerment and micro-finance.She was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1977 and the Right Livelihood Award in 1984. In November 2011, she was honoured with the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for her lifetime achievements in empowering women through grassroots entrepreneurship.
Malikarjun Kharge, the Congress president took to Twitter to express his condolences. He said that Bhatt has left behind an ''inspiring legacy."
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that she remained undeterred by attacks on her in 'New India'.

Noted lawyer Indira Jaising mourned the demise of her senior. She praised Bhatt's contributions towards the social upliftment of women. "No single person has done more for self employed women nationally and internationally," wrote Jaising.
Actor-politician Vani Tripathi Tikoo also expressed her condolences at the sad news and described it as ''an end of an era."
Bhatt was born on September 7, 1933 to political activist Vanalilaben and advocate father Sumantrai Bhatt in Ahmedabad. She taught English for a short time at the SNDT Women's University (Mumbai) before joining the legal department of the Textile Labour Association (TLA) in Ahmedabad. She later worked as a consultant to organisations like the World Bank. In 2007, she joined Elders, a group of world leaders founded by celebrated anti-apartheid activist and first President of South Africa Nelson Mandela. The group made efforts at promoting world peace and prevention of human rights violations.

Bhatt is survived by her son Mihir, daughter Amimayi, daughter-in-law Reema Nanavaty, and grandchildren.