New Delhi : President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday surprised after seeing a person with very ordinary dress and that too without footwear to receive “Padmashree” award from him at the “Padm” award ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He was an uneducated Kannadiga from Mangaluru who educating thousands through his hard earning meager income by selling organge on streets.

The man made proud the state is the person being described as “Akshara Santa” ( The Saint of Literature ) Harekal Haajabba who went to receive the award with great self underestimation and received the award with great respect. President Kovind was wondered for s while seeing his outfit and barefoot.

Knowing better the importance of education, uneducated Haajabba collected a few amount by selling organge on streets at Mangaluru. He used to sale about 10 dozen orange in a wooden knotted basket and started a school where education was given freely. Thousands studied in the schools became scholars and working throughout the world.

The Union government presented the Padma Vibhushan awards for 2020 and 2021 at a ceremony in Rashtrapati Bhawan on Monday. The ceremony was combined for awardees of both years as it could not be held due to the Covid-19 situation last year. Hence, this time, the president presented 14 Padma Vibhushan awards. The Padma Vibhushan is India’s second highest civilian honour after the Bharat Ratna.

Awardees include former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. Singing legend SP Balasubrahmnayam and Indian-American physicist Narinder Singh Kapany received the award posthumously. Former external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj was awarded the 2020 Padma Vibhushan posthumously, along with George Fernandes and Arun Jaitley. Swaraj’s daughter Bansuri received the award at the live ceremony.

Olympian boxer Mary Kom is also among the 2020 Padma Vibhushan awardees.

Late singer SP Balasubramanam, Vijay Sankeshwar, actress Kangana Ranavat, Sports person PV Sindu were bestowed with Padmavibhushan award.