Radha Bahin Bhatt

Radha Bahin Bhatt (born October 16, 1931), also known as Radha Bhatt, is an Indian Gandhian social worker, environmentalist, and women's empowerment activist from Uttarakhand. She was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2025 in the field of social work.

Early life and inspiration Radha Bahin Bhatt was born on October 16, 1931 in Dhurka village, near Almora, Uttarakhand. She was deeply influenced by Sarla Behn, a prominent Gandhian social activist who was a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi.

In 1951, she joined Sarla Behn at the Kasturba Mahila Utthan Mandal in Kausani, an ashram dedicated to the upliftment and education of women in the hills of Uttarakhand.

Activism Radha Bhatt's activism was deeply influenced by her Gandhian philosophy. In 1957, she actively participated in the Bhoodan movement initiated by Vinoba Bhave, joining padayatras (foot marches) for land reform across Uttar Pradesh and Assam. She established vocational training schools for women, teaching skills like spinning, weaving, and knitting to make them self-sufficient. She also spearheaded initiatives like the 'One Hour School' for girls to improve access to education. Jamnalal Bajaj Award (1991)