India's award-winning Gandhian, women's rights activist Ela Bhatt passes away

Noted Indian women's rights and micro-finance activist and lawyer Ela Bhatt passed away in Ahmedabad in the western state of Gujarat on Wednesday (2) aged 89.

Born in the same city in 1933, Bhatt was a well-known Gandhian and advocate of women's economic empowerment. She founded and headed the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in 1972 and the Cooperative Bank of SEWA, India's first women's bank, the next year. She also co-founded Women's World Banking in 1979.

Bhatt had won several national and international awards, including Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Ramon Magsaysay Award, and others. She won the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development in 2011 for her lifetime feats in empowering women by means of grassroots entrepreneurships. In 2012, former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton called her one of her "heroines".

The leader, who was called a 'gentle revolutionary', also worked with The Elders, a global non-governmental organisation of senior statesmen, peace activists, and human rights advocates who were brought together by the iconic Nelson Mandela in 2007. She worked with the organisation between 2007 and 2016 on issues such as gender equality and eradicating social evils, sich as child marriage.

A number of prominent leaders condoled Bhatt's death.

"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," prime minister Modi tweeted in Gujarati.

Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said Bhatt "devoted her life to Gandhian ideals and transformed the lives of millions of women, by empowering them."

"My heartfelt condolences to her near & dear ones, and her many admirers," he tweeted.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in a Twitter message called her a "pioneer of women's rights".

"She devoted her life in empowering them through grassroots entrepreneurship. Her exceptional legacy shall always inspire," he said.

Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel also expressed grief over Bhatt's death.

"I am saddened by demise of social activist Elaben Bhatt. She lit a lamp of prosperity in many poor households of the state by her work. May her soul get peace," he tweeted.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a tweet, "Ela Bhatt was undeterred by the attacks on her in 'New India' and maintained her dignity and grace throughout."