Shobhana Ranade

Shobhana Ranade (26 October 1924 – 4 August 2024) was an Indian social worker and Gandhian, known for her services towards her cause of destitute women and children. The Government of India honoured her in 2011, with the Padma Bhushan—the third highest civilian award—for her services to the society.

Biography

Ranade was born on 26 October 1924, Poona, in the Bombay Presidency. The turning point in her life came in 1942, when she was 18, when she met Mahatma Gandhi at the Aga Khan Palace, in Poona, which resulted in the young Shobhana taking up Gandhian ideals for the rest of her life.

Ranade's life was devoted to the cause of destitute women and children. Her social career took a turn, in 1955, when she went to North Lakhimpur, Assam, joining a padyatra (walkathon) with Vinobha Bhave and helped setting up the Maitreyee Ashram and a Shishu Niketan,

She started an SOS children's village in Maharashtra, under the name, Balgram Maharashtra which has now grown to provide a home to 1600 orphans.

Ranade lived in Pune, taking care of her activities centred on Aga Khan Palace.

Career positions held Trustee – Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust (KGNMT) Trustee – Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Trustee – Balgram Maharashtra

Awards and honours Padma Bhushan – 2010 Reliance Foundation – CNN IBN Real Heroes 2012 Life Time Achievement Award Rabindranath Tagore Prize Rajeev Gandhi Manav Seva Award – 2007 Pride of Pune Award – Pune University Mahatma Gandhi Award