Date of Birth - 30th December 1938.

Smt. Shobhana Ranade alias Shobhanatai's work is dedicated to the assistance of destitute women and children, with a view to making them self sufficient and contributing members of society. The focus of her work has been to change society and its values, so that women and children obtain their rightful place.

Born on October 26, 1924 in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, Shobhanatai received a Bachelors degree in Economics(Hons.) from the University of Bombay and Masters Degree in Sociology from The University Of Pune. She completed a Diploma in Montessori Education under Madame Montessori in 1948.

Smt. Ranade moved to Assam in 1955 and started the Shishu Niketan, the first child welfare centre started in Digboi. She continued her work in the North East and Nagaland, by starting a Balwadi at every centre run by the Adim Jaati Seva Sangh in NEFA and the very first Khadi Bhandar in Kohima.The tribal women were given training in weaving and spinning the charkha, and were instructed on family planning, nutrition and basic literacy skills. After her return to Maharashtra, she took up the cause of women empowerment through the Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust. She obtained assistance from the World Literacy of Canada and with the help of the KGNMT workers, achieved total literacy of the women in Anjangaon Surji.

The model of functional literacy developed by Shobhanatai was evaluated by the Tata School of Social Science as a unique achievement. She is a founder member of All India Committee for Eradication of Illiteracy amongst Women and has recently received the Tagore Literacy Award from the Indian Adult Education Association, New Delhi. She also started her first Balsadan in Vinoba Bhave's home at Gagode. This was the first step towards the creation of Balsadan Maharashtra, which today, through its affiliates, is home to over 1600 orphans. Extending the work to destitute children in urban areas, Shobhanatai was instrumental in starting welfare centres for street children in Bombay and Pune. Both centres are run almost completely through corporate and public assistance, and are providing solace and education to the urban destitute.

Shobhanatai Ranade she has received Civil Award "PADMABHUSHAN".

Smt. Ranade is the recipient of many awards including 'Women's Development Award' by Government of Maharashtra; 'The Savitribai Phule Award' by Pune Municipal Corporation; the National Award for Child Welfare Service in 1983; the Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award for Service to Children in 2007; Ahilyabai Holkar Award for Women & Child Development by Govt. of Maharashtra, 2001; the Nehru Fellowship Award, Kolkata, 1993; Gandhi sanmaan by Govt. of Madhya Pradesh; Gandhi Seva Puraskar, Kolkata; Dalit Mitra Award Goverment of Maharashtra-1992. Shobhanatai has numerous publications to her credit, and has actively contributed at various international conferences and seminars