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.
Responding to queries of media persons regarding the anti-hijab agitation in some colleges in the state by Sangah Parivar backed students, the minister said thathijab' should not be identified with any religion.
Comments
Sreenivasa for you if u say all muslims goto GCC country to follow the rukes of islam thn were you will send the to the rajsthani women everyone cover there head even we cant see there face until they show there face and even many hindus also use to cover there head with there saree and were you will send thm can you tell me whn you people do pooja u also cover your head with ur saree or duppata wht abt tht were you will send GCC or the other country do u have dont blame other religons they do wht they blive india is not made only for RSS and hindus india is of maltiple religon and maltiple caste and multiple festivle dont blame others b like a brother if u cant let others live like brothers dont try to do brain wash of good hindus ok
@shrinivas.
That means Sita mata is Muslim. we can see that Sita Mata is wearing hijab in all her pictures and idols.
Dear Srinivas, the comments from your side shows how much childish you are. If eductaed, they will utter these type of words. India Is the country for all religon and practicing their faith is given to every one by constitution. If you think that you are not happy with this , you can search for the place of your choice , where you can practice your faith. So don't try to misguide the people. Simply relcoate yourself to the place where you can practice your religion. India is not suitable for people like you. Because in india every one want to live togtehr. If we united we can develop. If we devided we will perish. That what otehr countries want with india.
@ Srinivasa, why you people are wearing threads around wrist and Panganama on foreheads.... Any one is opposing... that is your culture and ideology .....Dear Sini, have you checked the reality... have you seen girls covering their faces in the CLASS ROOM
@srinivaasa. If Hindus want hindutwa and blah blah blah let them go to Nepal. India is the country of Muslims, Hindus, christian, and many more .. in short it's the country of Indians. And coming back to sharia.. it's the constitution rights what Muslims
whether you take it as positive or negative, my comments upon the subject is: Dear non hijab ladies, Kindly don't start to wear hijab. you want to expose your figures to public and public simply enjoys it. i too feeling lot of things in my mind. it just because of you only force me to think such manner. specially young ladies (College Students) whoever not wearing hijab please don't wear. if you start wear it is very boring to come out from the home.
Good move from the education minister, thank you sir. India is a secular nation and anyone can follow their own tradition and custom.
@Sreenivas, dont provoke the matter, instead of wasting your time in getting yourself provoked please understand with any good muslim person about Sharia Law by that you will come to know what Islam is and what it teaches, you said to follow sharia we should go to muslim countries (LOL). Everywhere you find Islam you will find sharia law. My brother please dont provoke any matter and dont come to conclusion soon.
Such issues began only after communal force came into power,
If sita mata can wear hijab. Then all hindu womens should wear hijab.
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