I always wished to write about this man someday…
and today, I finally do-on the occasion of him being honored with a Doctorate from Mangalore University.
I still recall my days as an LL.B student at SDM Law College, Mangalore, in the 90s. After classes, I would move around the city for purposes & later board a bus from the old Hampanakatta Bus Stand to return home.
Amid the crowd, there was a familiar voice—
a man in a white lungi with a basket of oranges, calling out:
Kithle… kithle… (Mandarin)… musambi… musambi… (Sweet Orange)
Like many others, I saw him as just another street hawker, moving from one bus to another. Yet, there was something in his voice-a simple, honest energy that stayed in my mind.
Years passed, life grew busy…& that memory faded.
Until one day…!
I came across a news headline with a photograph and a name—a man being honored with the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 20K’s.
I looked closer… paused..& read again.
To my surprise-it was him.
The same humble orange seller from Hampanakatta-I never knew his name nor his place…only his picture in my mind!.
Today, the world knows him as Dr. Harekala Hajabba, a recipient of the Indian prestigious Padma Shri Award-2020.
An illiterate man-yet a true visionary.
With determination & sincerity, he turned his small earnings into a dream: to build a school in his village. What began as a humble effort has now grown into an institution shaping many young lives.
From a hawker… to a maker of futures.
This journey is not just inspiring-it’s deeply humbling. It reminds us that true greatness lies not in just ostensible richness or wealth, but in resilience, sincerity & purpose.
A person who has done so much for society truly deserves the highest recognition-he even deserves the Nobel Prize, & someone, somewhere must carry this story to the global stage it truly deserves.
May Allah bless him with a best of health & a long life to continue his incredible journey.
Let us celebrate such real heroes… and ensure their light reaches far & wide.
✍🏽 Dr. & Adv. P.A. Hameed Padubidri
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