Award will encourage me to continue work, says Shobhana Ranade

Chaitraly Deshmukh
Shobhana Ranade on Tuesday said the Padma Bhushan will encourage her to carry on the social work she has taken up.

The 86-year-old noted activist from Pune is among the 31 eminent personalities to have been conferred the country’s third highest civilian honour this year.

Speaking to DNA, Shobhana, who has dedicated her life for women empowerment and child welfare, said, “I was surprised when I got a call on Tuesday evening that I am awarded the Padma Bhushan. I immediately informed my younger daughter Mrudula.”

She said Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar’s teachings and life inspired her to serve the country.

“Sawarkar was famous during our schooldays and our generation was enthused by his message of love and devotion to Mother India. Bhave used to call me Shobhaniya. Mahatma taught us about non-violence and help the downtrodden,” she said.

Mrudula said she was proud of her mother. “We have appreciated her social work and extended full support. Now the Indian government has honoured her work and it is moment of great joy for us,” she said.

Shobhana has devoted her life towards assisting destitute women and children making them self sufficient and contributing members of society.

In 1955, she moved to Assam and started a school in the town of Digboi. Apart from starting Shishu Niketan, the first child welfare centre in an Assam village, she also worked in a tribal village in Nagaland for women empowerment.

Through her Adim Jaati Seva Sangh, Naga tribal women were given training in weaving and spinning the charkha. She helped in starting the Gandhi National Memorial Society and a national training institute for women at the Aga Khan Palace in Pune in 1979.

She had also received the National Award for Child Welfare Service from President Giani Zail Singh in 1983.