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
As he is journalist, he might have some sense.
We Muslims have the guidance from our prophet (Peace be upon him) in all aspects of our life.
Kuffar of Makkah, Taif have hurted him, troubled, though suffering lots of troubles he has set example of not retaliating them. He has slowly convinced what is true message, what is truth in it.
As he is journalist, it is not difficult to convince him the message of Islam. Usually most of the journalists are brave and they remain strong with truth. He is also from Kodagu. Try to meet him and debate with him on Islam. If Allah bestows him Hidayat, he might understand true message of Islam and accept it. We have example of Omer Bin Khattab - may Allah pleased with him.
"Madiddunno maaraaya" gaade maathu tilidirabeku
still 80% majority dogs in forest think that 17% lion will kill them one day..he is scared now!!!LOL
dont hurt any religion, all are good but people who become manager of god are very vrey bad.
if you want to do money, do in good way not by spilling venom about other religion. even if road cleaning also, that you will earn respect in front of GOD.
Assure God faith peace loving people will never do such threats. This is pre-plan and this fellow was tapped in the net. Now facing life threat by his in house people. This is their HQ conspiracy to destabilize the las and order and innocent publics normal life. After their god fther recent city visit their groups noted leaders are now in full pledge with their criminal mind set. All peace loving Kannadiga including Mr.Thammaiah and his family has to be carefull.
Such criminl incidents will appear more and more till 2019 election.
If you are a true follower, Nobody can hurt religious sentiments. Unwanted issue. He should be released. and he need protection also
He should be punished properly. He hurt religious sentiments and some media supported to that. They hid real facts.
Fake. Media worked for him. Now he cooked up new story
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