Poornima Arvind Pakvasa | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1913-10-05)October 5, 1913 |
| Died | 25 April 2016(2016-04-25) (aged 102) Surat, Gujarat, India |
| Occupation | Social worker |
Poornima Arvind Pakvasa (5 October 1913 – 25 April 2016), known as theDidi of Dangs, was an Indian independence activist and social worker fromGujarat.
Pakvasa was born inRanpur nearLimbdi State,Saurashtra (now in Gujarat). She was also a Manipuri dancer and classical vocal singer.[1]
Pakvasa first met Mahatma Gandhi at Ranpur when she was eight. She participated in the independence movement in Limbdi. At the age of 18, she participated in theDandi March during which she was arrested. Her inmate in jail wasKasturba Gandhi. Pakvasa taught her how to read and write English.Mahatma Gandhi was appreciative of this act and gave her his blessings to continue on the path of education.[2]
She participated in the 51st session of theIndian National Congress atHaripura in 1938.[1]
In 1954, she started Shaktidal, an institution for the cultural, physical and spiritual education of women inBombay (now Mumbai). She headed the Bhosla Military School,Nashik for 25 years.[3] Later in 1974, she established Ritambhara Vishwa Vidyapeeth and extended its activities to become a residential school and college atSaputara. The school chiefly served tribal girls of Dang.[2][1] Sheturned 100 in October 2013[4] and died on 25 April 2016 at the age of 102 in Surat.[2] Her last rites were performed inSaputara by her children.[2]
In 2004 she was awarded thePadma Bhushan award for her services to society.[5][4] She was awarded Santokbaa Award in 2013.[6]
She married Arvind Pakvasa and was a daughter-in-law ofMangaldas Pakvasa. She had two daughters - Aarti and Sonal Mansingh - and a son Anuj.Sonal Mansingh is an Indian classical dancer.[2]