Harekala Haajabba known as “Akshara Santa” who was bestowed with nation’s fourth highest civil award “Padmashree” by President Ramakant Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan at Delhi on Monday was welcomed grandly at Mangaluru airport on Tuesday morning.

Haajabba in his usual outfit and without footwear received the award. He was chosen for the award for the year 2020 for his work in educating the poor children. Haajabba used yo sale orange on the road and by its income he constructed.

When Hajabba, clad in his trademark white dhoti and white shirt, walked barefoot to receive the award from the president, the school children at ‘Hajabba’ school in Newpadpu village on the outskirts of Mangaluru city, clapped hands in delight watching the programme on an LED screen and his wife witnessed the programme live at cellphones.

Thanking the president and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hajabba said “My humble request to the state and the Centre is to help sanction a PUC College to Harekala. I am happy that a poor man like me has been honoured.”

This award belongs to all those who helped in building the school. The government schools are, in no way, inferior to private schools,” he said calling upon students to study in government-run schools.
An elated Haajaba said, “The prime minister shook my hand.”