Harekala Hajabba, an orange seller from Newpadapu village in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, transformed his community by establishing a school using his personal savings earned through years of selling fruit. The initiative began in 2000 after a moment of self-realisation when he was unable to understand a foreign tourist’s question in English.
Determined to ensure village children did not face the same limitations, he invested his earnings into creating educational infrastructure. His decades-long effort led to the establishment of a school that continues to serve rural children. This dedication earned him the Padma Shri, which was conferred by then-President Ram Nath Kovind in November 2021 for his contributions to education and social service.
A Life Shaped By Struggle And Simplicity
Harekala Hajabba hails from Newpadapu village near Mangaluru in Karnataka’s coastal region. Born into a family with limited financial means, he was unable to pursue formal education and began working at an early age to support himself. He eventually became an orange seller at a busy bus stand in Mangaluru, where he spent decades earning a modest income. Despite never attending school, Hajabba developed a deep awareness of the value of education through his lived experiences and daily interactions with society.
The Turning Point At A Bus Stand
A defining moment in Hajabba’s life came when a foreign tourist asked him a question in English at the bus stand. Unable to understand or respond, he experienced a sense of exclusion and limitation rooted in his lack of education. This incident stayed with him and gradually transformed into a mission. He realised that children in his own village were growing up without access to a school, repeating the cycle of disadvantage he had lived through. This reflection became the foundation of his lifelong commitment to education.
Building A School With Personal Savings
In 2000, Hajabba took an extraordinary step by investing his savings from selling oranges to acquire land and initiate the establishment of a school in Newpadapu. Working without institutional backing in the early years, he continued his daily livelihood while steadily contributing to the development of the school. Over time, his initiative gained attention and support from the community and local stakeholders, helping the institution grow into a functional school serving village children. His determination earned him the title “Akshara Santa”, reflecting his role as a guardian of education at the grassroots level.
Recognition And Continued Impact
Hajabba’s decades of dedication were formally recognised when he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, by President Ram Nath Kovind on 8 November 2021. The recognition brought national attention to his grassroots contribution to rural education. Despite the honour, Hajabba’s mission remains focused on improving access to education and strengthening opportunities for children in his region. His story has since become a symbol of how individual initiative can address systemic gaps in education.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Harekala Hajabba’s journey is a reminder that transformative change often begins with ordinary individuals responding to everyday inequalities with extraordinary resolve. In a country where educational access still varies widely across regions, his story underscores the importance of empowering grassroots efforts alongside institutional support. It also raises a broader question about how many potential changemakers remain unheard due to lack of resources or recognition.
As a society, how can we better identify, support, and amplify such local heroes working quietly to create lasting social impact?
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