Mangaluru, Jan 25: Orange vendor Harekala Hajabba, popularly known as 'Akshara Santha' (the saint of alphabets), who went on to build a school at Newpadpu village on the city’s outskirts in 1999 is among this year’s Padma Shri awardees.
When Hajabba received the call on being nominated for the award, he was standing in a queue to buy rations.
As he is not fluent in Hindi, Hajabba handed over the phone to an auto driver, who conveyed the news that the Padma Shri award will be conferred on him.
The unlettered achiever set up a primary school from his meagre savings of Rs 150 per day, selling oranges in Mangaluru.
“The first time I felt bad for being an illiterate was when a foreigner enquired about the price of oranges in English. I did not know what he meant. So, I decided to start a school in my village,” Hajabba had said during a felicitation programme.
When Hajabba decided to start a school, he did not get any support. He started the school with 28 children.
The school today has been upgraded to a composite high school and is catering to the educational needs of hundreds of children in and around Newpadpu.
He ran from pillar to post in the Zilla Panchayat to make his dream come true. All cash awards he had received went into building the school. The United Christians Association, moved by the sight of his dilapidated house, built a 760-square-foot house costing Rs 15 lakh for him.
Hajabba’s life was prescribed for the syllabus of three universities - Davangere, Kuvempu and Mangalore. His success story is also included in a Tulu textbook.
He won the Karnataka Rajyotsava award in 2013, Real Heroes award from TV channel CNN-IBN.
Hajabba, when contacted, said he could not believe his ears when told about the award.
New dreams
The frail vendor, in his 60s, humbly declared that he could achieve all this because of the support of all. Hajabba now dreams of upgrading the school into a full-fledged PU college.
Comments
Madam, please remove the zero which you added by mistake.
one bachali is telling central investigation agency also working anthe ... papa enu madakke agalla .. madrasa training effect .. tale odedare naalku akshara iralla ivakke 4 illi , mele 72 reserve bere ... hahaha ... sadya mossad hesaru helalilla ... hoganna kabbadii adu hogu ... fish sales mugididre ... hahaha
Nobody can stop us from grabbing the power , we will show the mighty power when election is nearing it ... shobakka no need to reveal . it is done we will get 150 at any cost ... permanently we should send the khangrace to their home .. becoz jihadists are using it as cover .
Pokkade?
At least Start Master Bhagawat Programme to produce more than 10kids, get marry more than one, Shobakka why are you not Co operating with your Great leaders request, now you looks like 50's above can not produce more at least try your level best to do something for Master Bhagath's request do not Bark Fate of Kannadigas now!!!!!! we will see when battle starts, Till then you co ordinate your Criminal RSS Sabb.
Jai Hind.
Jai Hoo Modianna
Jai Hoo Siddanna.
keep dreaming everyday!!! utter loss this year.
shobakka, the central intelligence agency is working for bjp rss and vhp.
people will decide who will come to power....
I think shoba had a bad dream last night... Come on Shoba Wake up wake up.. Stop dreaming and get back to some work.
What a Joke, Shobakka should join Comedy Circus.Thank god she did not mention Yeddy as C.M and akka as Deputy C.M.
Shobha learnt Jothishya Shastra?
Dil ke behlane ko Ghalib, ye khayal accha hain.
HA ha ha ha ha ha ha
\DREAM GIRL\""
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