Mission accomplished, Hajabba is back in Hampankatta

[email protected] (CD Network)
June 27, 2012

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Mangalore, June 27: Days after setting up a high school in the backward Newpadpu area near Konaje, Hajabba was back in business in the Hampankatta area here on Monday, selling fruit to earn a living.


It has been nearly 10 months since the unlettered man from Harekala was seen in Hampankatta. Mr. Hajabba has followed his dream of setting up a primary school and subsequently a high school at Newpadpu.


“I fell off an 8-ft-high slab of the under-construction high school building in August last year. I sprained my hip and had to take complete rest for a couple of months. Once I was up and about, I was completely immersed in the work on the new building. Now I am back here doing my 'kasubu' [profession],” he said, wiping the sweat off his forehead.


How did he see himself through the last 10 months? “I have well-wishers who send me some money every month. A headmaster from Mulbagal in Kolar has been sending me a donation of Rs. 150 every month for the last 10 years. A retired engineer from Chitradurga has been giving me Rs. 130 every month from February,” he said. As is his wont, Hajabba always highlights the little gestures, oblivious to the selfless sacrifices he has made to accomplish the mission of his life.


Mr. Hajabba, who has a wife, son and two daughters, said: “My son worked as a labourer for nearly a year during the construction of the new school building. He used to earn Rs. 350 a day. We depended on his money during this period,” he said.


Does he notice any change in the way his customers treat him now since he has become a household name in the district. “I see a lot of change. People recognise me straight away and greet me. A lot of them are very generous and don't even bargain. There are people who wonder how this man could be selling fruit. But this is my 'kasubu'. I have been doing it since 1978,” says Mr. Hajabba, who came into the limelight after being selected as the Person of the Year in 2004 by a Kannada daily. He was chosen as one of the Real Heroes by CNN-IBN in 2009. Mr. Hajabba ploughed back the Rs. 5 lakh he got as award money to buy a plot for the high school.


The 55-year-old fruit vendor, however, does not seem to be worried about the business so much as he is focussed on his new goal. “I earned about Rs. 120 on Saturday. I had to leave early since I had to meet [Minister Vishweshwara Hegde] Kageri. I went to the Circuit House and gave him a memorandum demanding a pre-university college for Newpadpu. He promised to consider the request favourably,” he said.

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News Network
September 16,2024

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In a heart-breaking incident, 19-year-old Shaun D'Souza, a native of Vittalwadi in Udupi's Kundapur taluk, tragically lost his life in the UAE due to heat stroke.

Shaun, the beloved son of Elias Cyril D'Souza and Pramila D'Souza, originally from Hosabettu, Moodbidri, had been pursuing his college education in the UAE.

He was admitted to a hospital in Ras Al Khaimah, approximately 115 km from Dubai, after collapsing from heatstroke. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, Shaun breathed his last on Sunday, September 15. 

He is deeply mourned by his parents and two siblings. The family, who had been residing near St. Mary's Church in the UAE, are grappling with the profound loss. Shaun’s father, Elias, works as a manager for a private company, while his mother, Pramila, is an accountant.

The local community has come together to offer their support and condolences in this time of sorrow.

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News Network
September 17,2024

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Mangaluru: In an act of extraordinary selflessness, a young lecturer and mother, Archana Kamath, tragically passed away just days after donating a portion of her liver to a relative. She was 33.

Archana, who had devoted her career to shaping young minds as a lecturer at Canara College and most recently at Manel Srinivasa Nayak MBA College, was a loving mother to a four-year-old boy. Her sudden passing has left her family, students, and colleagues reeling in shock and grief.

The story of her untimely demise began when a relative of her husband, CA Chethan Kumar, required a life-saving liver transplant. 

With no other matching donors in sight, Archana stepped forward, her heart full of compassion. Her blood type matched, and without hesitation, she made the brave decision to donate a part of her liver—an act that would ultimately cost her life.

The surgery, performed 12 days ago in Bengaluru, seemed successful. Archana appeared to recover well and was discharged, bringing hope and relief to her loved ones. 

But just days after returning home, she suddenly fell ill and passed away on September 15 in a Mangaluru hospital. The cause of her sudden decline remains a mystery, compounding the sorrow of those who knew and loved her.

Her final act of love saved a life—the relative who received her liver is said to be recovering well. But Archana’s loss is felt deeply by her husband and their young son, who are now left to navigate a world without her warmth and strength.

As family and friends grapple with this tragic turn of events, Archana’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her as a caring educator, devoted mother, and a woman whose ultimate sacrifice was made out of love.

The full story of her passing is still unfolding, and her untimely death has left an irreplaceable void in the lives of all who knew her.
 

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News Network
September 24,2024

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Mangaluru, Sept 24: A blanket of gloom descended over Dakshina Kannada and Udupi as heavy rains battered the coastal Karnataka districts on Tuesday. Substantial rainfall has been drenching the region since Monday, intensifying as the day progressed.

In Dakshina Kannada, torrential downpours began early Tuesday, followed by overcast skies and humid conditions. 

The showers persisted intermittently through the afternoon, with areas like Beltangady experiencing moderate rainfall, while Puttur and Bellare bore the brunt of heavier storms. 

Overnight showers were reported in Bantwal, and Mangaluru city, along with its surrounding rural areas, witnessed a steady increase in rainfall, peaking by the evening.

After a brief respite, the return of intense rainfall has brought a welcome drop in temperatures. In Udupi, Karkala, Udupi city, Kundapur, and Hebri taluks all faced substantial rains throughout the day, continuing from late Sunday night.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the coastal districts, predicting more heavy rainfall in the coming hours. 

A yellow alert has been placed for Wednesday, signaling the likelihood of additional downpours. Fishermen have been cautioned to remain vigilant, as the possibility of strong winds looms over the coastal waters.

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