Ela Ramesh Bhatt is an Indian cooperative organiser, activist and Gandhian, who founded the Self-Employed Women's Association of India in 1972, and served as its general secretary from 1972 to 1996. She is the current Chancellor of the Gujarat Vidyapith. A lawyer by training, Bhatt is a part of the international labour, cooperative, women, and micro-finance movements and has won several national and international awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award, Right Livelihood Award for "helping home-based producers to organise for their welfare and self-respect" and the Padma Bhushan.
| Born: | September 7, 1933, Ahmedabad, Bombay Presidency, British Raj |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Citizenship: | 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: | Lawyer, philanthropist |
| Organization: | SEWA, The Elders |
| Known for: | founded SEWA |
| Spouse(s): | Ramesh Bhatt |
| Awards: | Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Ramon Magsaysay Award, Right Livelihood Award, Niwano Peace Prize, Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development |
| Website: | Ela Bhatt's Official site |
About Ela Bhatt
Indian civil rights activist best known for founding the Self-Employed Women's Association of India in 1972.
Before Fame
She received a law degree in 1954 and taught English at SNDT Women's University.
Achievement
She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan, one of the highest civilian awards given by the Indian government.
Family Life
Her mother was secretary of the All India Women's Conference.
Associations
She and Mary Robinson were both members of the Elders organization.
Information related to Ela Bhatt
- Businesspeople from Ahmedabad
- Indian microfinance people
- Indian social entrepreneurs
- Indian independence activists from Gujarat
- Gujarat University alumni
- Recipients of the Padma Bhushan in social work
- Recipients of the Four Freedoms Award
- Indian women's rights activists
- Indian women educational theorists
- Nominated members of the Rajya Sabha
- Right Livelihood Award laureates
- Indian women social workers
- Recipients of the Padma Shri in social work
- Ramon Magsaysay Award winners
- Gandhians
- Indian women activists
- 20th-century Indian businesspeople
- 20th-century Indian women scientists
- Gujarati people
