"Aapne meri jholi khusiyon se bhar di": Padma Shri awardee Hirbai expresses gratitude towards PM Narendra Modi; WATCH
23 Mar 2023 10:17:18
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday conferred 106 Padma awards to people hailing from different fields such as art, public affairs, science, etc - to honour their contributions for the betterment of the society. Among them, a heart-warming moment of Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi interacting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has become talk of the town.
Lobi, who hails from Gujarat was conferred the award for her extensive work for the betterment of the state's Siddi community and women's empowerment.
This moment between two of them went viral. In the video, on seeing her, the hall echoed with clapping and PM Modi bowed after which the 70-year-old Padma awardee conveyed her sentiments.
While walking to get the award, she stopped near the first row where Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and several union ministers were seated. Speaking during the mid-event, she praised PM Modi for his noble work for the tribals.
In a rare expression of blessing, she stretched her dupatta showing affection and gratitude towards PM Modi.
Mere pyaare Narendra Bhai, apne hamari jholi khushiyon se bhar di (Dear Narendra Bhai, you have filled our lives with happiness)," she was heard saying. The hall echoed with clapping for her emotional gesture. When she was speaking, PM Modi listened to her with folded hands and expressed his reverence for the elderly woman.
"...Work hard and you will get its fruits...Narendra Modi and Raj Bhavan gave me wealth..." She said after recieving the award.
Who is Hirbai Ibrahim Lobi?
Being President of ‘Adivasi Mahila Sangh’, Lobi is also known as ‘Siddi Women's Federation’. She was brought up by her grandparents and works to provide education to the children of the Siddi community through many balwadis which she has founded. She has also worked for the financial independence of the women of the Siddi community.
Before this recognition, she has been the recipient of several awards such as ‘Samman Patra’ by Gujarat Agriculture University in Junagadh, ‘Women's World Summit Foundation's Prize for Women's Creativity in Rural Living', ‘Jankidevi Bajaj Puraskar for Outstanding Woman Rural Entrepreneur’ in 2006.