Hansa Jivraj Mehta, Educationist, Social Reformer
Educationist, Social Reformer

Hansa Jivraj Mehta

Born 3 July 1897 · Gujarat — Died 4 April 1995

Secured inclusive language in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with Eleanor Roosevelt.

Hansa Jivraj Mehta was an Indian reformist, social activist, educator, independence activist, feminist and writer. She was one of only two women delegates working alongside Eleanor Roosevelt in the UN Human Rights Commission 1946-48 ensuring the wording "all human beings" instead of "all men" in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Hansa Mehta was instrumental in changing the phrase “all men” to “all human beings” in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a subtle yet revolutionary linguistic shift with global impact.

The Story

1
In 1918, Hansa Mehta graduated in Philosophy from Baroda College, at a time when only about 2% of Indian women were literate, marking her entry into a deeply male-dominated academic world.
2
🌍 Between 1946 and 1948, she served as one of only two women delegates alongside Eleanor Roosevelt in the UN Human Rights Commission, successfully lobbying to change the phrasing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights from “all men” to “all human beings.”
3In 1931, Hansa Mehta became the first woman elected to the Bombay Legislative Council, where she organized picketing against foreign goods and was jailed three times for her activism aligned with Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement.
4🎓 From 1949 to 1958, she was Vice-Chancellor of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, becoming the first woman to hold that role at an Indian co-educational university and mentoring future scholars such as sociologist M. N. Srinivas.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1923, Hansa Mehta spent eight months visiting women’s colleges across the United States to study their education system, an uncommon journey for an Indian woman of her time.

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Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Hansa Jivraj Mehta portrait highlighting her contributions to Indian social reform (1995)
Hansa Jivraj Mehta portrait highlighting her contributions to Indian social reform (1995)
1995

🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Born in Surat, Gujarat
Hansa Manubhai Mehta was born into a family with a strong intellectual and administrative background in Surat, then part of Bombay Presidency.
1897
📚
Education
Graduated in Philosophy
She completed her degree at Baroda College, entering higher education as one of the few women in India at the time.
1918
📚
Education
Studied Women’s Education in USA
Visited multiple women’s colleges across the United States to research educational models for women’s empowerment.
1923
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Career
Elected to Bombay Legislative Council
Broke gender barriers by becoming one of the first women elected to this legislative body during the freedom movement.
1931
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Career
Joined UN Human Rights Commission
Worked alongside Eleanor Roosevelt to draft the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, influencing its inclusive language.
1946
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Career
Appointed Vice-Chancellor, MS University
Became the first woman to head a co-educational Indian university, shaping academic leadership.
1949
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Award
Received Padma Bhushan
Honored by the Indian government for her services in education and social reform.
1959
🕊️
Death
Passed Away in Mumbai
Left behind a legacy of activism, education, and literary contributions at the age of 97.
1995
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Her marriage in 1924 to Jivraj Narayan Mehta sparked controversy due to caste differences, but Maharaja Gaekwad personally praised her decision and attended their wedding events.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Hansa Mehta was Vice-Chancellor of Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda from 1949 to 1958, a period during which the university gained recognition as an innovative center of learning under her leadership.

03 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

She translated several Shakespeare plays and parts of Valmiki’s Ramayana into Gujarati, blending Western and Indian literary traditions in her works.

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🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Reformer Hansa Mehta made a 'word' of difference at the UN | Oneindia News
·YouTube
More from this archive
Reformer Hansa Mehta made a 'word' of difference at the UN | Oneindia News
01
Reformer Hansa Mehta made a 'word' of difference at the UN | Oneindia News
YouTube
Hansa Mehta | 1st Woman Vice-Chancellor of A Co-Ed. Indian University | Pahal | Ep. 2
02
Hansa Mehta | 1st Woman Vice-Chancellor of A Co-Ed. Indian University | Pahal | Ep. 2
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Hansa Mehta’s role in the Constituent Assembly helped embed gender equality into India’s Constitution and inspired ongoing debates on a uniform civil code. Her leadership at Maharaja Sayajirao University fostered academic innovation and mentorship of leading Indian scholars. Internationally, her intervention at the UN shaped human rights language that advanced gender inclusivity worldwide.

💬 Social Buzz

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