When in doubt about what the world and people in it can offer, remember some men built monuments, and some men built futures. Harekala Hajebba is one of those patriots who turned his situation around that would soon favour generations to come.
But it all started with a question.
The 68-year-old orange seller hails from Mangaluru, Karnataka, India. He was born into a modest muslim family but had to drop out of school at an early age to support his family financially. (BearyInfo, 2024)
Harekala sold oranges for a daily earning of Rs. 150, and one day, years ago, a seller asked him how much his oranges sold for in English (BearyInfo, 2024). He was too embarrassed because he did not understand the language in which the question was asked. Rather than be demotivated about his lack of basic English language, Harekala resorted to providing his people a means of education.
He stepped up and saved part of his daily earnings, and by the year 2000, his philanthropy paid off when MLA Late UT Fareed was commissioned to build the small school in Newpadapu village in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district (Zee News, 2021). At that time, there were no grants or funding, but Harekala's sheer motivation and stigma from his encounter won him the approval of the MLA, and the school, which started with 28 children, now serves over 175 children with many more to come up to the 10th Standard. His philanthropy earned him the title Akshara Santa (Letter Saint).
Harekala's initiative was born from a question; like many other patriots, he did not clearly see a reason to build a school until it affected a part of his intellect. In that instant, it was as though he saw the future of his community: foreigners touring around, asking questions in the English language, and the children, youth and adults looked on in confusion.
He saw the problem years into the future and worked towards eliminating it, to bring a new change to children.
He was not nationally recognised for his patriotism until January 2020, when the Padma list was announced, but due to the COVID-19 protocols, he was awarded India's fourth civilian award, the Padma Shri, by President Ram Nath Kovind in November 2021. But even after the nationwide recognition, Harekala refused to accept the honour; rather, he bestowed it back on the school.
He really is worthy of the Akshara Santa title.
The work to build the community did not end with the school alone. In 2024, the curriculum of the school introduced bilingual classes and plans for further infrastructural development, including a Pre-university college building, were in motion (Sea and Job, 2026). Harekala has since received grants and funding from different contributors, excited and motivated by what he has done in his community. Along with his prize
money, he met with the Chief Minister, Siddaramiah, to present his proposal for the upgrade. The aim is to elevate the government high school, providing students in the area with expanded educational opportunities and paving the way for higher education. (Vartha Bharati n.d., Coastal Digest, 2026, Mangalore People, 2024).
Harekala's story is nothing short of an inspiration. It is a classic story of a hometown resident struggling to make sure a change happens through him. Some heroes might wear capes and have magical powers, but Harekala had his integrity, willpower and a burden to see a better society.
He stood speechless before a stranger's question. Today, hundreds of children can speak boldly and with confidence because he provided them with a chance he couldn't have.
References:
- Bearyinfo. (2024, May 22). Harekala Hajabba.
https://bearyinfo.com - Coastal Digest. (2026). Hajabba's school gears up to welcome first batch of PU College students.
https://www.coastaldigest.com - Mangalore People. (2024, March 5). Harekala Hajabba.
https://mangalorepeople.com - Sea and Job. (2026, April 4). From selling oranges to building a school: The inspiring journey of Harekala Hajabba.
https://www.seaandjob.com - Vartha Bharati English. (n.d.). Harekala Hajabba meets CM Siddaramaiah, urges him to upgrade govt high school of Harekala Newpadpu.
https://english.varthabharati.in - Zee News. (2021, November 9). Meet Padma Shri Harekala Hajabba, orange seller from Mangaluru who built a school with life's savings.
https://zeenews.india.com. . .