Ela Bhatt | |
|---|---|
 Bhatt in 2013 | |
| Born | 7 September 1933 |
| Died | 2 November 2022 (aged 89) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | B.A., LL.B.; Diploma of Labor and Cooperatives; |
| Alma mater | Sarvajanik Girls High School, Surat; M.T.B. College, Surat; Afro-Asian Institute of Labor and Cooperatives, Tel Aviv |
| Occupation(s) | Lawyer, philanthropist |
| Organization(s) | SEWA, The Elders |
| Known for | Founded SEWA |
| Spouse | Ramesh Bhatt |
| Awards | Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Ramon Magsaysay Award, Right Livelihood Award, Niwano Peace Prize, Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development |
| Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
| In office 12 May 1986 – 26 September 1988 | |
| Constituency | Nominated |
| Website | sewa |
Ela Ramesh Bhatt (7 September 1933 – 2 November 2022) was an Indian cooperative organiser, activist and Gandhian,[1] who founded the Self-Employed Women's Association of India (SEWA) in 1972, and served as its general secretary from 1972 to 1996. She was the chancellor of the Gujarat Vidyapith from 7 March 2015 to 19 October 2022.[2] A lawyer by training, Bhatt was a part of the international labour, cooperative, women, and micro-finance movements and won several national and international awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1977), Right Livelihood Award (1984) for "helping home-based producers to organise for their welfare and self-respect" and the Padma Bhushan (1986).[3]
- ^ Duncan, Natricia (27 June 2014). "Empowering Indian women through employment". The Guardian.
- ^ "Chancellors of Gujarat Vidyapith". Gujarat Vidyapith. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
- ^ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.