Mangaluru: The sage of rural literacy and a humble fruit-vendor, who meticulously piled up his petty profits over the decades to set up a school in New Padpu in Harekala, may have a frail bodyline, but has remarkable grit and determination.
Harekala Hajabba had keenly taken part in the Beary folklore, cultural and sports festival held in the government school in Pavoor near his native village on Sunday. He had even addressed the gathering and spoken in his own simple, inimitable style.
On Tuesday, however, he reportedly fell ill and had to be hospitalized. When mediapersons visited him in the ward, he kept speaking more about the school rather than his own condition. Irregular intake of food is said to have caused the ill-health.
Hajabba has won several awards and national recognition. Now he is being honoured abroad also. The Bearys Welfare Forum of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates has invited him to be a special guest at their decennial scheduled to be held there on April 17.
Although there is still much time left before the event, Hajabba appeared slightly worried about his health and whether it would permit him to make it to the occasion.
Here’s wishing him speedy recovery and a safe and happy journey and back.
News on the Sage of Literacy:
- Mangalore: A ‘Classy’ Act – DC Motivates Students with Lessons at Hajabba’s School
- Bangalore: Harekala Hajabba among Rajyotsava Award Recipients
- Mangalore: Mangalorean.com Award Presented to Harekala Hajabba
- Mangalore: Book on Harekala Hajabba, Torch-bearer of Literacy, Released
- Bangalore: Hajabba Gets the Fruit of his Labour
- Bangalore: Hajabba the Fruit-seller with a Basketful of Dreams Feted
- Mangalore: The Illiterate who Provided Education to 126 Children
