Hirabai Lobi

Hirabai Lobi never went to school. Yet she helped hundreds of women in her community open bank accounts, start small businesses and send their children to class. Her full name, as given in her official citation, was Hirbaiben Ibrahimbhai Lobi ^[2].

A hard start

Hirabai belonged to the Siddi community, people of African origin who have lived in Gujarat for generations ^[2][5]. Her village, Jambur, is in the Gir area, in what is now Gir Somnath district ^[2][5].

She lost her parents when she was young and was brought up by her grandmother ^[2]. She had no formal education ^[2]. After an early marriage, she and her husband farmed a small plot of land, tilling it by hand because they had no modern tools ^[2].

Learning from the radio

Hirabai was a keen radio listener. From radio programmes, she picked up information about schemes meant to help women, and learned how to make organic fertiliser ^[3][4]. She turned that knowledge into action for the women around her ^[3].

In 2004, she founded the Mahila Vikas Foundation to help Siddi women become self-reliant ^[3][5]. Under her leadership, women joined savings groups and cooperatives, made and sold vermicompost, and found work in grocery shops and tailoring ^[2][3]. She also linked women in the community with banks ^[5].

Schools for Siddi children

Hirabai cared just as much about the next generation. She helped set up balwadis, small nursery schools, for Siddi children, and helped build a community school ^[2][3][5]. Her official citation estimates that her work changed the lives of more than 700 women and children ^[2].

She received many honours over the years, and she gave her prize money to children’s schooling and to the empowerment of Siddi women ^[2].

The Padma Shri

On 25 January 2023, the Ministry of Home Affairs named her for the Padma Shri, under Social Work, from Gujarat ^[1].

Remembered

Hirabai Lobi died at her home in Jambur in January 2025 ^[5]. She was survived by two sons and a daughter ^[5].

Her life showed that a lack of schooling is no barrier to wisdom or leadership. By listening, learning and sharing, she helped a whole community stand a little taller.