Pune bid farewell to a true champion of social work and activism today as Shobhana Ranade, a revered Gandhian activist, passed away at the age of 99. Her remarkable contributions to the welfare of destitute women and children earned her the prestigious Padma Bhushan award in 2011.
Born in Pune on October 26, 1924, Ranade was deeply inspired by Mahatma Gandhi after meeting him at the Aga Khan Palace at the age of 18. Following in his footsteps, she dedicated her life to serving the underprivileged, especially women and children.
Ranade’s impact was felt across the country, from joining Vinoba Bhave on a foot march in Assam to founding child welfare centers and empowering Naga women through vocational training programs.
Upon her return to Pune in 1979, she played a pivotal role in establishing the Gandhi National Memorial Society and a training institute at the Aga Khan Palace. She also founded the Kasturba Mahila Khadi Gramodyog Vidyalaya to provide vocational training for disadvantaged women and initiated child welfare projects in Saswad.
Her commitment to social causes extended to environmental activism, leading the Ganga Bachao Abhiyan to prevent pollution in the Ganga River. Throughout her life, she held various important positions and received numerous awards for her outstanding contributions, including the Jamnalal Bajaj Award, Rabindranath Tagore Award, and Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award.
Shobhana Ranade’s legacy is a testament to her unwavering dedication to Gandhian values and her tireless efforts in social service. Pune, and the nation as a whole, will forever be grateful for her impactful work.
Thanks For Reading Report of Punepress.com