Shraddheya Pramila Tai Medhe, the fourth Pramukh Sanchalika of the Rashtra Sevika Samiti, left her mortal body on the morning of July 31, 2025, at 9:05 AM at Devi Ahilya Mandir, Nagpur, due to age-related causes. She was 96. Her life, a shining example of tapasya (austerity), alert and activeness, dharma-pride, and national commitment, stands as a living embodiment of the eternal call – “Charaiveti, Charaiveti” (Keep moving forward).
Leadership Rooted in Service & Strength
Pramila Tai Ji’s journey through the Samiti spanned decades, during which she shouldered critical responsibilities of Central Office Head, Akhil Bharatiya Pramukh Karyavahika, Head of International Department, Sah Sanchalika (2003–2006) and Pramukh Sanchalika (2006–2012).
She travelled all over Bharat and beyond to Sri Lanka, Kenya, the UK, the US, and more. A woman donning traditional nine-yard saree with traditional grace, giving speeches with utmost command over English in a foreign land mesmerised everyone. She was honoured as an honorary citizen of New Jersey, USA, and received the DLit degree from SNDT University in 2020 for her remarkable contribution to society.
During Vandaniya Mausiji’s birth centenary year (2003–2004), at the age of 75, she personally undertook a 28,000 km journey by car to 108 locations across Bharat and Nepal to carry a mobile exhibition of Mausiji’s life.
Simplicity Personified
I had the good fortune of travelling with her to various states of the country and also to Sri Lanka and Kenya. The office that was set up for the Sevikas in Kenya, “Saraswati Sadan“, was inaugurated by her in the birth centenary year of revered Taiji Apte. Her speech in the Kenya programme of Seva International was very touching. She has written about her experiences of her Vishwa Vibhag tour in the book “Vayam Vishwashantyai Chiram Yatnashilaah“. Even today, karyakartas from abroad kept coming to Nagpur to meet her. Her “frequency” always matched with people of any age, especially with young sisters.
An Intellectual Beacon and Spiritual Mentor
If one wants to understand the true meaning of the command “Daksh” in the organisation, then one has to see the life of Pramila Taiji. She was always adept in her attire, conversation, writing, reading, responding, giving speeches, taking meetings, demeanour, etc. Pramila Taiji was the ideal of staying updated. She knew the latest news from Nagpur, Maharashtra, the country and abroad. If there was any injustice, if something wrong was seen or if something good happened, her call would immediately go to that person, writer, editor or politician. Be it giving a quick reply on social media or replying to a letter, she would do it promptly. Sometimes she would even communicate by looking at the whatsapp status. A week before her passing, the word “Salaam” was written in a social media post on Kargil Vijay Diwas. After reading it, a message from Pramila Taiji came in the WhatsApp group that the word “Naman” should be written instead of Salaam.
Her brain was always alert. Perhaps that is why in the All India meeting held the same week (despite not having the power to speak), she must have blessed all the Sevikas to stay alert while being present online. Her words, “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah”, “Shubhashirvad”, “keep working, don’t make mistakes,” inspired and soothed everyone present in the meeting to keep moving forward.
Pramila Tai Ji was a seeker, a scholar, and an extraordinary communicator. I had the good fortune of listening to her speeches. They were known for their depth and seriousness, vast vocabulary and Sanskrit precision, touching personal stories and sharp wit, and Gagar mein Sagar (ocean in a pot) kind of wisdom. She read hundreds of books in her life, analysed them and gave examples in her speeches. Her memory was very sharp. She also had a command over the Sanskrit language. She knew many shlokas by heart.
A Disciplined Life Lived with Grace
Pramila Tai never stopped working. Until a few days ago of her passing, after bathing and getting ready at 5:30 in the morning, she would be present in the hall for Pratahsmaran (morning prayer). If there was any wrong pronunciation in Pratahsmaran, Saayam smaran, Prarthana, Stotra, she would immediately stop and correct it. If there was any need to correct the writing in any information leaflet, letter, article or book, they would show it to Pramila Tai. Even the minutest things would come to her attention and she would correct them.
Regularity was an integral part of her life. Wearing a sari, drying and arranging clothes without creases, maintaining diary, packing, preparing before going to someone’s place to meet, everything was very systematic. Even after being relieved of the responsibility of Pramukh Sanchalika, her travelling, reading, giving feedback, visiting people in times of happiness and sorrow did not stop. Tai ji used to think deeply about the world of women and their work. Her thoughts about the discourse we have today was very broad.
By taking voluntary retirement from a good job, and deciding to devote her entire life to social work, Taiji set a great example for the life of a Grihastha Karyakarta and Pracharak. She never compromised on punctuality and discipline and would not like it if anyone did.
An Ever-Young Mind in a Venerable Soul
She knew many songs by heart. She insisted on singing memorised songs in the programmes. Whichever province she visited for tour, she would definitely speak a few words, sentences, song lines of that language. At the Prashikshan Vargas (training classes), while doing physical exercises in the shakha, she used to pay special attention to the gaze of the sevikas, hitting with full strength, to do these things properly. At such an old age, whether the path was uphill or downhill, she would climb or descend without holding anybody’s hand. On going to the Ahilya Mandir after tour, when met she would ask, where have you come from? Anything new that you read and wrote? Do send any special experience on WhatsApp.
I have learned many valuable lessons about organisational life from her. In recent years, her blessings, the warmth of her soft hand-hold, and the gentle, smiling conversations we shared have been a constant source of motivation in my social work. She was the eldest among us in age, but the youngest in spirit and thought—such was Pramila Tai Ji.
Remembering Her in Her Own Words
“Chale Nirantar Chintan Manthan, Chale Nirantar Athak Prayas,
Bharat Maa Ki Seva Mein Ho, Apne Jeevan Ka Har Shwas, Man Mein Param Vijay Vishwas”
Let continuous reflection and relentless effort be our path. May every breath of life be in the service of Bharat Mata, With a mind full of unwavering confidence in ultimate victory.
We offer our deepest tributes and salutations to Shraddheya Pramila Tai Ji — a pillar of strength, a beacon of wisdom, and a symbol of tireless service. Her legacy will continue to inspire countless lives in the years to come.
Comments