Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi, a resident of Jambur village near Gir and belonging to the Siddi community, has been conferred with the Padma Shri award for her efforts in uplifting Siddi women and educating children.

The Siddhi community of African descent were brought as slaves to India by Islamic dynasties in the 7th century and later enslaved by British. One Siddhi woman decided to change the fate and future of her community – Hirabai Ibrahim Lobi, Padma Shri Awardee – #PadmaAwards2023

The Siddhi community’s traditional occupation is cutting wood. She worked with her husband to repay a debt of 1 lakh.
To save her land from being sold, she started looking for other means of income. She heard about organic compost on a radio telecast and decided to work on that.

Using Organic compost as a means of earning, she brought many women of her community to work with her and train
She retained those who were willing to study along with working.

Using the medium of radio and in collaboration with social organizations, Hirabai provided employment opportunities to women and educated them on the importance of opening bank accounts and saving money.

With the aim of providing basic education to Siddi children, she has set up multiple kindergartens. Furthermore, in 2004, she established the Mahila Vikas Foundation.

Her tireless efforts have positively impacted the lives of more than 700 women and countless children, making a significant difference to the Siddi community.

Her illiteracy hurt her, she initiated many programs to push education amongst the girls.

From holding discussions and talks to enlighten the women about education, hygiene, birth control to actually helping schools have better attendance, Hirabai has relentlessly worked on her people.

Helping schools in shambles, opening bank accounts of women, walking them to offices, help them fill forms, discouraging her people from chopping woods of Gir Forest.

These tiny but effective steps have brought her to the pedestal of national admiration.

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