Thank you UCA: 'Saint of Letters' Harekala Hajabba enters new house

[email protected] (CD Network | Photos by Suresh)
February 8, 2016

Mangaluru, Feb 8: "I never dreamt of living in a house that is worth Rs 15 lakh in my life. Today I am extremely happy, thankful and I pray for the well-being of the donor, who built a house for me," said Harekala Hajabba, 61, who is popularly known as 'Akshara Santha' or 'Saint of Letters'

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Despite being an uneducated, Hajabba fought tirelessly to build built a government school at Newpadpu in Harekala about 20 kms here by pooling money he earned and by seeking donors help. However, he had forgotten to build a house for his wife and three children. Hajabba was worried about his family very much, but he never showed it to others. At this juncture, the United Christian Association (UCA) has come forward to build 760 sqft house at a cost of Rs 15 lakh for Hajabba. On Sunday, a house warming ceremony was held in the presence of Muslim clergies, UCA president Alban Menezes, Dakshina Kannada MP Nalin Kumar Kateel and minister for health and family welfare U T Khader.

"I am an ordinary man and I have not earned a single rupee for myself. On September 13, 2004, there were no chairs in my house when four journalists came to talk to me about my struggle for a school in my village. Now I own this houses only because of media persons and organisations like United Christian Association," said Hajabba, who left no stones unturned to start a government school in his village and later to construct a new block for it.

Hajabba, who has been selling orange near State Bank bus stand, was literally struggling to meet both ends at his partially damaged tiled roof house, where five member family with ailing wife were living. In fact, it is the initiative of UCA president Alban Menezes, a young builder in the city, that led to construction of a two bed room RCC house for Hajabba.

"I understood the problems of Hajabba when he was admitted to hospital. Doctors, who treated Hajabba, told me that he was suffering from anxiety due to poverty. I felt really sad when I saw a great achiever suffering from poverty and living in a dilapidated house. Hence, I decided to construct a house for him through UCA. While nearly 1.5 lakh was collected through UCA members, I spent nearly Rs 13.5 lakh. Very soon, I will provide compound wall and gate for his house spending additional Rs 2 lakh," said Alban Menezes, who had donated many houses and did several charity works earlier.

Menezes said that a separate space has been provided in the new house for Hajabba to display all awards, citations and mementos he received during his journey as a crusader of education.

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Comments

Ahmed Bava
 - 
Tuesday, 9 Feb 2016

Congratulations UCA President Mr. Alban Menezes and Members really great work done by you for a Great person Mr.HAJABBA. HUMANBEING

A.Ullal
 - 
Tuesday, 9 Feb 2016

We admire you. sir.. I am proud that my fellow countryman have done great contribution towards education. Where he built school for kids when kids reach of school was far at site.
He is a role model for us.

A.Ullal
 - 
Tuesday, 9 Feb 2016

We admire you. sir.. I proud that my fellow countryman done grate contribution towards education. Were he build school for kids when kids reach of school is far at site.
He is role model for us.

rikaz
 - 
Monday, 8 Feb 2016

I hope because of this house he can keep up his health and serve more and better to poorer section of the society.

Government should think of giving him pension monthly basis...and I think it's not right time for him to go in the heat of sun and work and bring money for his social work as well his family...

Sherief
 - 
Monday, 8 Feb 2016

Mr.Alban Menezes and UCA's generous contribution in the form of donating new built home to Akshara Santha Janab Hajabba is truly appreciable. Your donation of a house is an inspiration to all of us. I hat's off for your generosity and commitment for helping the society is sincerely appreciated.

ABUL
 - 
Monday, 8 Feb 2016

Great job and highly praisable noble work by UCA. Bieng a muslim community memeber Janab Hajabba never recognised by his own community people where he stays with many muslim millionaires surroundings.
Hats off once again UCA.Keep it up

Muzaffar Ali
 - 
Monday, 8 Feb 2016

Congratulations ... UCA
Very Good deed by UCA

IBRAHIM.HUSSAIN
 - 
Monday, 8 Feb 2016

It is praise worthy that UCA and Alban understood the pain of Hajabba and built a house for this Akshara Santha. At the same time it is unfortunate, millionaire Muslim people, charity institutions around his area neither understood this Akshara Santha, nor his pitiful life in a lapidated house where he was living. Politician throng on the opening day, but never thought of his need.

Once again salute to Mr. Alban and UCA for this noble work.

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News Network
December 4,2025

Udupi: A 40-year-old NRI from Udupi has reportedly lost more than Rs 12.25 lakh in an online investment scam operated through Telegram.

According to a complaint filed at the CEN police station, Leo Jerome Mendonsa, who has been working in Dubai for the past 15 years in computer accessories sales, maintains NRI accounts in Karkala and Nitte.

On November 12, 2025, Mendonsa was added to a Telegram group called Instaflow Earnings by unknown individuals. Users identified as Priya and Dipannita persuaded him to invest in “Revenue Tasks.” Initially, Mendonsa transferred Rs 1,100 multiple times and received the promised returns, encouraging him to continue.

On November 14, another user, Nishmitha Shetty, directed him to register on a website, digitvisionuoce.cc, and invest Rs 4 lakh in various shares. Over the next few days, he made multiple transfers totaling Rs 12,25,000, including Rs 50,000 via Google Pay, believing the scheme was legitimate.

After receiving the money, the alleged handlers stopped responding, and neither the invested amount nor the promised profits were returned.

The CEN police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and investigations are ongoing.

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News Network
December 2,2025

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Bengaluru: 'Nati koli saaru' (country chicken curry) considered one of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s favourites along with steaming hot idlis was on the breakfast menu at Deputy CM D K Shivakumar’s residence on Tuesday, according to official sources.

The spread also included 'nati koli' fry, vada and pongal, among other items, they said.

In an apparent show of unity, Siddaramaiah visited Shivakumar’s residence for breakfast, just days after the two leaders shared a meal amid a simmering power tussle in the state Congress.

Siddaramaiah drove to the Deputy CM’s residence in Sadashivanagar, where he was received by Shivakumar and his brother D K Suresh, who is a former Congress MP.

Suresh and Kunigal MLA H D Ranganath, a relative of Shivakumar, joined them for breakfast, which featured a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes.

Speaking to reporters later, Siddaramaiah said Shivakumar had invited him during his visit to the CM’s residence for breakfast on Saturday.

Asked about the difference between the two meals, the chief minister said, "At his (Shivakumar’s) house it was non-veg, while at my house it was veg. He is a vegetarian, I am a non-vegetarian. I had not prepared non-veg. I told DK to get chicken from the village as you won’t get the original in Bengaluru."

Shivakumar said he had initially invited Siddaramaiah to his residence, but the CM had suggested visiting his place first and reciprocating later. "It was a vegetarian breakfast at the CM’s house on Saturday," he noted.

"Today, I invited him (the CM) to my house. He enjoyed the breakfast, which had his Mysuru taste," Shivakumar added. At this point, Siddaramaiah remarked that Shivakumar’s wife is also from Mysuru.

Saturday’s breakfast at Siddaramaiah’s official residence, held as part of efforts by the Congress high command to ease tensions in the leadership dispute between the two, reportedly included idlis and sambar, according to official sources.

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News Network
November 30,2025

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Mangaluru, Nov 30: A 22-year-old college student succumbed to her injuries at a private hospital in Mangaluru today, days after she was hit by a goods tempo while crossing a road in Padubidri.

The deceased has been identified as Preksha, a resident of Nadsalu Billitota in Padubidri. The fatal incident occurred as Preksha, who was returning home after completing her examination, attempted to cross the service road towards Mangaluru. She was struck by a goods tempo approaching from the Udupi side, causing her to fall and sustain a severe head injury.

Prompt action from local residents ensured she received immediate first aid before being rushed to a hospital in Mangaluru for specialised treatment. Despite medical efforts, she passed away while undergoing care.

Preksha was a student at Karavali College, Vamanjoor on the outskirts of Mangaluru city. The tragedy is compounded by the fact that she belonged to a financially vulnerable family, having previously lost her father. She is survived by her mother and brother.

A case related to the accident has been registered at the Padubidri police station, and an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances that led to the collision. The incident highlights the growing concerns over road safety, particularly on busy service roads, and serves as a tragic reminder of the human cost of traffic accidents.

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