Harkala Hajabba, an orange vendor from Mangaluru was recently the recipient of the prestigious Padma Shri Award for opening a school for underprivileged children in his village. The news was announced by Indian Forest Service officer Parveen Kaswan via Twitter, where he revealed that Mr. Hajabba was standing in line at a ration shop when he got the news that he will be a recipient of the award.

As per reports, he is affectionately known as ‘Akshara Santa’ (the saint of letters) and even aims at opening up a PU vollege in his village.

This fruit seller from Dakshin Kannada is educating poor children in his village of Newpadapu from a decade in a mosque. Doing all the efforts including spending his savings.

Most interestingly, Hajabba never recieved formal education but picked up knowledge by interacting with foreign visitors while selling oranges.