Orange Seller Saved His Daily Earnings To Build a School That Helped Hundreds of Village Children

Harekala Hajabba knew what it meant to grow up without a classroom nearby.

In his village in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, children were growing up with limited access to education. For Hajabba, who sold oranges for a living, this was personal. 

He had no wealth, no formal education, and no influence. But from his daily earnings, he began setting aside small amounts for a goal that seemed far beyond his means: building a school for the children of his village. 

What began with one fruit seller’s savings would eventually grow into a school and earn him one of India’s highest civilian honours. 

A childhood shaped by poverty

Born in Harekala village in Karnataka’s Dakshina Kannada district, Hajabba (now 69) grew up in deep poverty. He never had the opportunity to attend school and spent most of his life working to support himself. 

Eventually, he began selling oranges at a bus stand in Mangaluru, where he became a familiar face to travellers and locals alike. 

According to several reports, one particular incident changed the course of his life forever. A foreign tourist once asked him the price of oranges in English. Hajabba could not understand the question or respond. The moment stayed with him long after the customer had left.

For many, it may have been a small interaction. For Hajabba, it became a painful reminder of what lack of education could take away from a person.

Instead of accepting it as fate, he decided to ensure that children in his village would not face the same struggles.

At the time, Harekala village had no school. Children had to travel long distances for basic education, and many eventually dropped out. Hajabba knew that if education had to become accessible, the village needed a school of its own.

Building a school one rupee at a time

What makes his story extraordinary is not just the dream, but the way he pursued it.

Despite earning very little as an orange seller, Hajabba began saving money from his daily income. Slowly, patiently, rupee by rupee, he contributed towards building a school in his village. Alongside this, he spent years approaching local officials and convincing authorities about the need for a government school.

His determination finally bore fruit in 2000, when a primary school was established in Harekala village.

For Hajabba, this was only the beginning.

He continued working to improve educational facilities and encouraged families to send their children to school. Over time, the school expanded, and hundreds of children from nearby villages gained access to education because one man refused to give up on an idea.

Recognition that never changed him

What makes Hajabba’s journey even more inspiring is that he never sought fame or personal benefit from his efforts. Even after receiving national recognition, he continued living simply and selling fruits for many years.

In 2020, the Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri for his contribution to education and social service. 

But beyond the award, his story resonated because it showed how empathy and persistence can create lasting change. Sometimes, it begins with empathy, persistence, and the courage to act on a simple idea.

A legacy far bigger than one man

Hajabba’s life reminds us that real changemakers are often ordinary people who quietly choose responsibility over indifference. He could have accepted his circumstances and moved on. Instead, he transformed personal pain into a mission that changed the future of countless children.

At a time when education is still out of reach for many across India, his journey stands as a reminder that one determined individual can create opportunities for an entire community.

Because sometimes, the people who change the world are not those with the loudest voices — but those with the kindest hearts and the strongest resolve.

Sources:

‘From selling oranges at a bus stand to building a school for his village: The inspiring story of Harekala Hajabba’ by The Times Of India, Published on 4 April 2026.

Harekala Hajabba – Padma Shri Awardee by Beary Info

‘Harekala Hajabba: The humble story of a fruit seller who was awarded Padma Shri today’ by India TV, Published on 8 November 2021.

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thebetterindia.com