Padma awardee from Gujarat Hirabai Lobi expresses gratitude to PM Modi

New Delhi: During the Padma awards ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Wednesday, Hirabaiben Lobi, a Padma Shri awardee from Gujarat, was recognized for her extensive work for the Siddi community and women’s empowerment. As she approached the front row, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and others were seated, she stopped to express her gratitude to PM Modi.

She stretched out her dupatta as a symbol of her appreciation and said “Mere pyaare Narendra Bhai, apne hamari jholi khushiyon se bhar di (Dear Narendra Bhai, you have filled our lives with happiness),” she was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. “Nobody gave us any recognition and nobody bothered about us till you did and you brought us to the forefront,” she added as the audience once again gave a huge round of applause.

#WATCH | Hailing from the Siddi tribe, Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi receives the Padma Shri award from President Droupadi Murmu. She works for the upliftment and development of the Siddi tribal community. pic.twitter.com/OBQy4Yh4ON

— ANI (@ANI) March 22, 2023

Lobi, the President of Advasi Mahila Sangh (Siddi Women’s Federation), thanked Modi for recognizing her community, which had been ignored for many years. The Siddi community, comprising 98% of the population of Jambur, is an African tribal group that was brought to India as slaves 400 years ago.

Lobi, who was orphaned at a young age and raised by her grandparents, has worked to provide education to Siddi children and promote financial independence among Siddi women through Mahila Vikas Mandals. DeshGujarat