Harekala Hajabba
Harekala Hajabba is an orange vendor in the city of Mangalore, Karnataka, India, who saved money from his vendor business to build a school in his village.[1] In 2020, he was awarded the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian award, for his commendable initiative.[2][3]
History
Harekala Hajabba is known for the extraordinary contribution he made, despite his own relatively constrained circumstances, to the cause of education in his native village.[4][5] He kept part of his savings from selling oranges, to start a school in the region he came from so that the children there could get educated.[6][7] Today, the school, which has grown with government support and donations from private individuals, is known as Hajabba School. He is affectionately known as 'Akshara Santa' (letter-saint).[8] Hajabba's next dream is to build a Pre-University college in his village.[9]
Recognition and honours
- Social activist and writer Ismath Pajeer has published a book on Hajabba's life, titled 'Harekala Hajabbara Jeevana Charitre' (Life story of Harekala Hajabba).
- A life history of Hajabba has been included in the syllabus of Mangalore University.[10][11]
- The British Broadcasting Corporation published an article on Hajabba with the title "Unlettered fruit-seller's Indian education dream" in November, 2012.[12]
- Hajabba wa conferred with the 'Real Heroes' award by CNN IBN and Reliance Foundation.[13]
- Hajabba was named Person Of The Year by Kannada Prabha, a leading Kannada-language newspaper.
- In 2020, the Government of India conferred the nation's fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shri, on Hajabba.
References
- Sachin, Aswathy. "School Built by an Orange Seller : Story of Harekala Hajabba". Fantoosy.com. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
- "Padma Awards 2020 Announced". pib.gov.in.
- Desk, The Hindu Net (26 January 2020). "Full list of 2020 Padma awardees". The Hindu.
- "Hajabba opens a high school in his village". Thehindu.com. 15 June 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- "One man's orange revolution: Harekala Hajabba". Deccanchronicle.com. 1 January 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- "Mangalore: DC releases book on Harekala Hajabba, says he deserves Padma Shri". Daijiworld.com. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- "Book highlights Hajabba's school saga". Thehindu.com. 28 June 2014. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- "Harekala Hajabba in hard times". Coastaldigest.com. 27 February 2015. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mangaluru/hajabba-hopes-padma-award-will-help-realize-pu-college-dream-for-harekala/articleshow/73642703.cms
- "Life of Harekala Hajabba comes as lesson to Mangalore University students". Coastaldigest.com. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- "Harekala Hajabba's life as a lesson in Mangalore University syllabus". TwoCircles.net. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- Pandey, Vikas (12 November 2012). "Unlettered fruit-seller's Indian education dream - BBC News". Bbc.com. Retrieved 28 March 2017.
- "A fruit seller builds a high school". Thehindu.com. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2015.