Mangalore: CNN-IBN ‘Real Heroes’ Award for Harekala Hajabba
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (TU/CN)
Mangalore, Mar 11: Hajabba, who built a school to educate over a hundred children in Harekala New Padpu village near Konaje, was honoured with the ‘Common Persons and Uncommon Works: Real Heroes’ award instituted by CNN-IBN and Reliance Industries Group in Mumbai, recently.
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His only source of funds was the money he made from selling oranges and some meager financial help from the gram panchayat. According to him, he earns about Rs 60 to Rs 100 every day and also has to feed five family members besides fulfilling his desire to see the children of his village educated.
He wants to provide computer education to the children of his school which has obtained government approval for starting a high school.
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CNN-IBN news channel had selected 24 people for the award from all over the country, after considering their achievements in various fields. All the awardees were given a cash reward of Rs 5 lac and a citation each. Hajabba is said to have donated the cash award to the school.
Hajabba has also been honoured with several prestigious awards including the Republic Day award from the state government, ‘Man of the Year-2004’ award by Kannada Prabha newspaper, and the ‘Sandesha Kala Prastistana’ award.