Who was the woman who placed her hands on President Murmu’s shoulders at the Padma Awards? Meet Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi, the Siddi social worker who changed more than 700 lives

A quiet moment from the 2023 Padma Awards continues to draw attention. As she received the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, social worker Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi did something that stood out amid the formality of the ceremony- she reached out and affectionately placed her hands on the President’s shoulders.The gesture was warm and spontaneous, and captured something of Lobi’s personality: a woman who had spent much of her life working at the grassroots and speaking for a community that has often remained outside the national spotlight. But who was Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi?Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi was a social worker from Jambur village in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district and a prominent member of the Siddi community, a small African-origin community that has lived in parts of India for centuries.She dedicated much of her life to improving the lives of Siddi women and children, particularly through education, financial independence, employment and better farming practices. Her work eventually earned her the Padma Shri in 2023 for social work.Lobi's own childhood was far removed from privilege. She lost her parents at a young age and was raised by her grandmother. Hirbai was married at the age of 14. She did not receive formal education, yet education remained one of the central themes of her life's work.She learned from the radio- and passed that knowledge onOne of the most remarkable parts of Lobi's story is how she educated herself. Without access to formal schooling, she turned to the radio. Programmes about agriculture, government schemes and women's development became an informal classroom for her. She would listen, learn and then share what she had learnt with other women in her community.Her interest in organic farming, for instance, began after she heard about techniques for making organic fertilizer on the radio. She later used that knowledge in her own community.Her work was especially significant because many Siddi women in the area depended on cutting wood for their livelihoods, sometimes working in areas around the Gir forest. Lobi worked to help women find alternative sources of income and become financially independent.From opening bank accounts to creating employmentLobi's work was not limited to awareness campaigns. She helped Siddi women understand banking and savings, encouraged them to become economically independent and worked with social organisations to create employment opportunities. More than 700 women were reported to have benefited from her efforts.She also worked to improve children's access to education and helped establish balwadis, or early-childhood learning centres, in the community.In 2004, she founded the Mahila Vikas Foundation, which became an important part of her work towards women's empowerment. The government’s Padma citation also notes that she was associated with the Adivasi Mahila Sangh, also known as the Siddi Women's Federation.Her approach was simple: learn something useful and make sure others could benefit from it too.The Padma Awards ceremony in March 2023 produced another memorable moment involving Lobi. As she walked towards the stage to receive her award, she stopped near Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was seated in the front row with other Union ministers. Rather than simply walking past, she spoke about what the honour meant to her community.She told him that her community had lived in the forests and often remained unnoticed, describing the Padma Shri as an honour they had never imagined receiving. PM Modi responded by bowing his head and greeting her with folded hands. The exchange was followed by applause from those present at the ceremony.And then came the moment with President MurmuAfter speaking to the Prime Minister, Lobi went on to receive the Padma Shri from President Droupadi Murmu. And the viral moment happened. Lobi affectionately placed her hands on Murmu's shoulders. Once the award was given to her by the President, she again happily placed her hands on President Murmu’s shoulder. Her happiness could be seen through her eyes.Lobi's gesture appeared to carry the warmth and informality of someone meeting another woman from a similar social world, rather than treating the occasion only as a formal exchange between an award recipient and the country's President.A life built around her communityHirbai Ibrahim Lobi died at her home in Jambur village on January 24, 2025, at the age of 65. She was survived by two sons and a daughter. Her death was mourned as a major loss for the Siddi community.Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day.