It was an important moment in the history of Rashtra Sevika Samiti, the largest women organisation of the country, when Smt. Ushatai Chati, the Pramukh Sanchalika of the organisation, handed over the responsibility as Pramukh Sanchalika of the organisation to the veteran Sevika Samiti activist, Smt. Pramilatai Medhe. The responsibility was handed over at the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha meeting held in the premises of Devi Ahilyabai Mandir, the Samiti'sheadquarters in Nagpur, on July 22.
Speaking on the occasion, Smt. Ushatai Chati said: ?I had held the responsibility of Pramukh Sanchalika of the Samiti for many years. Now keeping in view my health and growing age, it is necessary to hand over the responsibility to a capable person and I feel Smt. Pramilatai Medhe is capable enough in all respect to lead the organisation. Now I hand over the reigns of the Samiti to her.? She further said while working, whenever any difficulty come in, the way, we found a solution with mutual consultations. Smt Pramilatai had worked with Vandaniya Mausiji for many years and also toured the whole country. She developed good contacts with activists in India and abroad. After the speech, Smt Ushatai Chati, amidst the chanting of hymns, presented a coconut and a shawl to Smt Pramilatai Medhe and formally handed over the responsibility of the organisation.
After taking over the reigns of the organisation, Smt. Pramilatai Medhe said: ?The relation between Ushataiji and me have always been like that of two real sisters. We both completed the third year training of the Samiti together. Though, she had been our adhikari, she never imposed her views upon us. Vandaniya Ushatai has today handed over a very gigantic responsibility to me, but the organisation is not run by only one person. We all have to work together. The organisation becomes strong with mutual cooperation. Today the atmosphere is in our favour and we have to spread the work the world over. If we stand with our full strength, no obstacle can stop our way.?
Born in Nandurbar district of Maharashtra, Smt Pramilatai Medhe came into contact of Rashtra Sevika Samiti during her childhood. She was greatly influenced by the founder of the Samiti, Lakshmibai Kelkar who was popularly known as Vandaniya Mausiji. She learnt the basics of an organisation from Mausiji. After completing her graduation and teacher training, she taught at the CP& Barar Higher Secondary School of Nagpur for two years. Later she also did a government job as senor auditor. But for the work of Sevika Samiti she took voluntary retirement from the service even before 12 years of her formal retirement. Right from Mukhyashikshika of a shakha of the Samiti, she held the responsibilities of the Nagar, Vibhag and Prant levels. She was Prant Karyavahika of Vidarbha Prant from 1950 to 1964. She was incharge of the central office from 1965 to 1975 and Palak Adhikari of Andhra Pradesh from 1975 to 1978. She worked as Pramukh Karyavahika of the Samiti from 1978 to 2003 and toured not only the whole country but also England, America, Canada, Durban, etc. The Mayor of New Jersey city of America granted her honourary citizenship. She took over the responsibility of Sah-Pramukh Sanchalika on August 2, 2003. She completed the Bharat Parikrama in 366 days during the birth centenary of Vandaniya Mausiji.
