Hillary Clinton to pay tribute to SEWA founder Ela Bhatt on 2-day Gujarat visit

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be on a two-day Gujarat visit from Sunday and participate in programmes of Self-Empowered Women's Association (SEWA) founded by social worker and Gandhian Ela Bhatt.

Clinton will pay tribute to Bhatt, who died at of 89 in vember last year, and interact with SEWA members at its office in Ahmedab on Sunday.

former US Secretary of State is paying a visit on occasion of completion of 50th year of SEWA as a tre union for informal sector women workers, SEWA said in a statement.

It said Hillary Clinton has been a "great source of inspiration" to SEWA members and her visit at this time will motivate younger generation to take forward movement for ar 50 years.

"Hillary Clinton will visit SEWA reception centre in Ahmedab on Sunday and interact with its members. She will also deliver a speech at reception centre. Before that, she will unveil a plaque near a banyan tree planted by Ela Bhatt at Victoria Garden on 50th year celebration of SEWA foundation in 2022," its programme coordinator Rashmi Bedi said.

On Monday, Clinton will visit Dhranghra in Surendranagar district to interact with salt pan workers as part of SEWA's rural initiative, Bedi said.

Clinton and Bhatt knew each or since 1995.

In a 2018 social media post, Clinton described work of rewned women's rights activist as a "revolutionary experiment." Clinton h in post said, "In 1972, she (Bhatt) started an organisation to give women small loans that could help m find fulfilment in ir work and contribute to ir family's well-being. It was called Self-Employed Women's Association, or SEWA."