Mangaluru: Padma Shri awardee Harekala Hajabba seeks support for new PU College building
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Mangaluru: Padma Shri recipient and ‘Akshara Santa’ Harekala Hajabba has appealed for assistance to build a permanent structure for the newly established Government Pre-University (PU) College in his village. Though classes began a year ago, the college still functions without its own building, forcing students to manage in limited space.
Hajabba, who has dedicated his life to education in his native Harekala, fears that the lack of proper infrastructure may lead to a drop in student enrolment next academic year. Despite personal hardships, including the recent loss of his wife, the 68-year-old is tirelessly meeting government officials, legislators, private institutions, and companies, urging them to help fund the project.
After years of efforts, the government had sanctioned 1.30 acres of land for the college on November 21, 2022, near the Gram Chavadi area in Harekala. Later, on January 9, 2024, the Department of School Education and Literacy officially approved the upgradation of the existing government high school into a PU College. Classes began during the 2024–25 academic year, with the college temporarily functioning from the high school building.
The Public Works Department prepared a blueprint and estimated the construction cost at Rs 5.30 crore in June 2025. Speaker U T Khader also wrote to the Education Minister on July 8, requesting early release of funds. Meanwhile, Hajabba continues to pursue both government and private support.
Local contributions have already started coming in. Belthangady MLA contributed Rs 5 lakh towards the project, and the P.A. Educational Institutions donated furniture worth Rs 6.5 lakh. A borewell has also been installed, and the land has been levelled for construction.
Hajabba said, “We have started the PU College, but without a proper building, it will be hard to sustain student interest. I hope the government and private donors will extend their support so that this college can stand as a lasting symbol of rural education.”
Currently, the college runs Arts and Commerce courses. The first PU batch has 11 students, including two boys and nine girls, while the second-year batch has 13 students, eight boys and five girls. The college functions with guest lecturers and a principal in charge.
Hajabba, who opened his first school in 1999 in a small madrasa building, became a symbol of selfless service to education in rural Karnataka. His determination to provide learning opportunities for children in his village continues to inspire many across the country.
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Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
