Harekala Hajabba’s dream of having PU college close to reality

MANGALURU: The dream of Harekala Hajabba, the recipient of the Padma Shri Award in 2020, is likely to be a reality, with the department of PU education considering the commencement of PU classes at the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat High School, which is popularly known as Hajabba’s school.
According to a communique from Padmini NS, under secretary to the government, primanry and secondary education (pre- university), the government has plans to upgrade 29 high schools in the state, by starting PU classes. Out of 29 high schools, one is in Siddapura, Byndoor taluk of Udupi district, and two are in Dakshina Kannada, including Hajabba’s school, and another in Vittal.
Following this, the joint director of PU education department has sought a detailed report with suggestions on Wednesday, from the deputy director of PU education, Dakshina Kannada, to submit it by Friday, on basic infrastructure required for the commencement of PU course in Hajabba’s school.
CD Jayanna, deputy director of PU, Dakshina Kannada, said, “The department has sought a detailed report on basic infrastructure at Hajabba’s school, as part of its plan to open a PU college.”
Hajabba said that he is hopeful of the government sanctioning a PU college for his school. “I have been requesting people’s representatives and officials for many years, to get a PU college for New Padpu village in Harekala. Opening of a PU college will help children studying in our school, as well as other schools in the region, to continue their education in the village. I am confident that the government will sanction a PU college,” he said.
On infrastructure required for starting the PU college in his school, the Padma Shri awardee said, “We have two additional classrooms, which are not used at present, and it can be used to commence classes.”
Hajabba, the orange seller who saved money to build a school in his village, was running from pillar-to-post, to start a PU college in his school, for many years.
Hajabba said that his meetings with Mangaluru MLA UT Khader, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, backward classes and social welfare minister Kota Shrinivas Poojari and chief minister Basavaraj Bommai will prove fruitful in this regard.