PAP
Social Worker

Poornima Arvind Pakvasa

Born 5 October 1913 · Gujarat — Died 25 April 2016

Founded the Dakshin Gujarat Adivasi Sevamandal to promote education among tribal communities.

Poornima Arvind Pakvasa, known as the Didi of Dangs, was an Indian independence activist and social worker from Gujarat.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Poornima Pakvasa taught Kasturba Gandhi English in jail during the 1930 Dandi March imprisonment.

The Story

1
🌿 In 1930, at just 18, Poornima Pakvasa joined the Dandi March, was arrested, and taught English literacy to Kasturba Gandhi while imprisoned in Limbdi jail.
2
At age 8, she met Mahatma Gandhi in Ranpur, a moment that inspired her lifelong dedication to education and social reform in Gujarat’s tribal regions.
3In 1954, she founded Shaktidal in Bombay, an institution dedicated to empowering women through cultural, physical, and spiritual education.
4For 25 years, she led the Bhosla Military School in Nashik, integrating discipline and empowerment in a male-dominated environment.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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During her imprisonment in 1930, Poornima Pakvasa taught English to Kasturba Gandhi, a rare act of literacy exchange between freedom fighters inside jail.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Ranpur, Saurashtra
Poornima Arvind Pakvasa was born near Limbdi State in Saurashtra, now part of Gujarat.
1913
🌟
Other
Met Mahatma Gandhi at age 8
Encountered Gandhi in Ranpur, sparking her lifelong dedication to social reform and education.
c.1921
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Career
Participation in Dandi March
At 18, she joined the Salt Satyagraha, was imprisoned, and taught Kasturba Gandhi English in jail.
1930
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Career
Attended Indian National Congress Session
Participated in the 51st Congress session held at Haripura, Gujarat.
1938
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Career
Founded Shaktidal in Bombay
Established an institution for women’s cultural, physical, and spiritual education.
1954
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Career
Established Ritambhara Vishwa Vidyapeeth
Started a residential school and college for tribal girls in Saputara, Dang district.
1974
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Award
Received Padma Bhushan Award
Honored by the Government of India for her service to society.
2004
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Death
Passed away in Surat
Died at age 102; last rites performed in Saputara by her children.
2016
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🗝️Discoveries

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01 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

At 18, Poornima joined the Dandi March, a pivotal civil disobedience act led by Gandhi, marking her deep involvement in the independence movement.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

She headed the Bhosla Military School in Nashik for 25 years, a rare leadership role for a woman in a traditionally male military education institution.

03 / 04
👤PERSONAL

Her daughter, Sonal Mansingh, became a renowned Indian classical dancer, highlighting how Poornima nurtured arts alongside activism.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Poornima Pakvasa transformed tribal girls’ education in Gujarat by founding Ritambhara Vishwa Vidyapeeth, which combined academics with physical and cultural training. Her institutions like Shaktidal and leadership at the Bhosla Military School introduced disciplined yet holistic education for women. Her work helped preserve tribal culture while promoting female empowerment in post-independence India.

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