Savita Behen
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Savita Behen | |
|---|---|
| Born | 23 January 1919 |
| Died | 10 March 2009 (aged 90) |
| Occupations | Social worker, Politician & Educationist |
| Known for | Women empowerment |
| Awards | Padma Shri |
Savita Behen (23 January 1919 – 10 March 2009) was an Indian politician, social worker, educationist and a former member of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the bicameral Indian Parliament.[1][2] She was known to be an advocate of women empowerment and gender equality[3] and was listed among the 3300 distinguished living women of the world by the Council for Parity Democracy in 1990.[4] She was honoured by the Government of India in 1971 with Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award.[5]
Savita Behen was born in a Punjabi Hindu family on 23 January 1919[4] at Kala Gujran in Jhelum district in the erstwhile British India, presently in Pakistan.[6] She did her college studies at the Government College, Lahore and P. L. College, Shimla.[1] Joining the Indian freedom struggle at a young age, she became active in social work. She founded Women Sevika Dal in 1944 and later, established Harijan Adult Education Centre and Tailoring and Industrial Centres for women in Delhi.[1] She also founded three schools for harijan and dalit children.[1][6]
