Fruit vendor in varsity text books

Harekala Hajabba a fruit vendor and illiterate from South Canara district in Karnataka has made inroad into Kannada text books of Kuvempu University, Shimoga and Davanagere University.

Harekala Hajabba is the person who alone made a difference in Harekala by starting school for local children. In mid 70s Hajabba used to travel from Harekala to Hampanakatte, Mangalore to sell fruits but he had one pain that his village children had to travel to long distances to study as there is no school in Harekala.

About 15 years ago he decided to start a school in his village and contacted local administration and panchayat. He managed to collect Rs 15 lakh from various means to start a school. 11 years ago Harekala school for young children started by lone efforts of Hajabba. Today this school stands an acre and 19.5 cents of land, providing education to some 300 children up to 10th standard.

Hajabba’s life has greatly inspired the University academicians and now they have given his profile in the textbooks for students. Hajabba is grateful for making him proud by giving his profile for other to read. Now he wants to start a PU college in his village. Today Hajabba is trying to get permission for a Pre-University College in his village and he wants his village students well educated and computer literate.

In 2004, Kannada Prabha, one of the leading Kannada dailies awarded him with “Man of the Year” with Rs 1 lakh reward. In 2009, CNN-IBN awarded him with “Real Hero” with 5 lakhs cash. He simply spent all that cash for the development of the school, buying land for playground, building construction, etc. Often his work and financial circumstances force him to miss a meal. But he never misses the school where he sweeps out entire school premises and cleans the toilets before leaving for the city for fruit selling..

In fact, TSI had recognized him as one of the unsung and real heroes of India and written about him in detail last year.