She always had a song in her, also sang in ICU: Grandson

Bhatt, an exemplar of Gandhian principles, believed simplicity to be a virtue that can solve most world problems. Her spartan residence's adornments were books on India and Gujarat.

Ahmedabad:  Art on her home's walls were her grandsons' drawings. Bhatt was 89 and is survived by her son Mihir, daughter Amimayi Potter, daughter-in-law and SEWA director Reema Nanavaty and four grandchildren.

In a corner of a room at her home lies a set of tablas with which Bhatt practised singing classical music for two hours daily. "Riyaaz and yoga were non-negotiable. She always had a song in her. In fact, she also sang in the ICU," Rameshwar, one of her grandsons, said.

On Wednesday, many SEWA members choked as they hummed 'Ame paar karishu', a Gujarati version of 'We shall overcome'. The Gujarati variant had been penned by Bhatt and had become SEWA's anthem of sorts. "Elaben envisaged and implemented a leadership strategy in which the daughter of a farm worker could rise to the top as the general secretary of SEWA," a member said.