Hirabai Lobi

Early life and activities

She resided in Jambur village, located in the Talala tehsil of the Gir Somnath district in Gujarat. As a member of the Siddi community, which has African roots, Hirabai experienced the loss of her parents during her early years and was subsequently raised by her grandmother. She was married at the age of 14.

She acquired knowledge from her surroundings, especially through the radio. Programs on organic fertilizer-making inspired her to implement these techniques in her community. She frequently visited the Gandhinagar Secretariat, seeking new information and understanding various schemes to improve the lives of her community members. Hirabai focused on empowering women of the Siddi community. In 2004, she founded the Mahila Vikas Foundation, which became a cornerstone for her initiatives to uplift women.