Savita Behen was an Indian politician, social worker, educationist and a former member of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the bicameral Indian Parliament.
14 Facts About Savita Behen
1.
2.
Savita Behen was known to be an advocate of women empowerment and gender equality and was listed among the 3300 distinguished living women of the world by the Council for Parity Democracy in 1990.
3.
Savita Behen was honoured by the Government of India in 1971 with Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award.
4.
Savita Behen was born in a Punjabi Hindu family on 23 January 1919 at Kala Gujran in Jhelum district in the erstwhile British India, presently in Pakistan.
5.
Savita Behen did her college studies at the Government College, Lahore and P L College, Shimla.
6.
Savita Behen founded Women Sevika Dal in 1944 and later, established Harijan Adult Education Centre and Tailoring and Industrial Centres for women in Delhi.
7.
Savita Behen was the chairman of the Refugee Widow Protection Committee and was instrumental in the establishment of two industrial and education centres for the refugee women.
8.
Savita Behen held the presidency of the All India Women's Council, the Women's Welfare Association of Delhi and the Super Bazar Cooperative Stores Limited, New Delhi and was the first woman vice president of the Delhi Municipal Committee, a post she held from 1956 to 1957.
9.
Savita Behen served the Punjab Legislative Council, the predecessor of the Punjab Legislative Assembly from 1962 to 1966.
10.
Savita Behen was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament in 1972, representing Delhi and served the house till 1978.
11.
Savita Behen was one of the 15 nominated members of the Joint Committee of Indian Parliament set up by Indian parliament for the establishment of the Central Council of Homoeopathy.
12.
Savita Behen was the zonal coordinator for Business and Industry Wing of the Rajyoga Education and Research Foundation of the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University for the region of Warangal in Andhra Pradesh.
13.
Savita Behen was awarded the civilian honour of Padma Shri in 1971 by the Government of India.
14.
Savita Behen died on 10 March 2009 at the age of 90.