66-year-old Orange Seller got Padma Shri who did Wonders in the Field of Education
It is said that if a person is determined in his mind, then what cannot happen. His spirit overcomes all obstacles. Something similar has been done by Harekala Hajabba, a 66-year-old orange seller living in Mangaluru, Karnataka who has been awarded the Padma Shri award by the Government of India this time. Harekala is affectionately called by the people 'Akshara Santa'.
Working as a seller of oranges at Mangaluru Bus Depot
Talking to news agency ANI, Harekala told that he is not educated and has been working as a seller of oranges at Mangaluru Bus Depot since 1977. But he has done something that has become an example in the field of education. Harekala has revolutionized rural education by building a school in Newpadpu village. 175 underprivileged students of the village are taking education in his school.
How did the idea of opening a school come about?
The idea of setting up a school for Harekala in his village came in 1978 when a foreigner asked him the price of oranges but could not answer the foreigner. Because he didn't know Hindi or English. At that time he felt bad and then decided to build a school in the village.
Dream fulfilled after 20 years
Harekala's dream was seen being fulfilled almost two decades later in the year 2000. When he got the approval to open the school through former MLA Late Farid. Initially started with 28 children, now 175 children are studying in the school and getting education up to the 10th standard.
Harekala has started being called 'Akshara Santa'
Harekala has started being called 'Akshara Santa' in the area due to his public welfare works. He says that he wants to open many schools and colleges in his village with the money received from various awards. Many people have also donated money. Apart from this, he has also urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to help in opening a college for the children of classes 11 and 12 in his village.
