RAJEEVJOSEPH.COM

Rajeev Joseph was born to Mr. A.K Joseph and Mrs. Chinnamma Joseph on 29 January 1968 at Kaduthuruthy, Kottyam district in Kerala. From school days, he has shown immense interest in social activities. He was an active member of Kerala Bala Jana Sakyam and NCC on school days. From the age of 3 years to 11 years, he was an ardent practitioner of ‘Kalari Payattu’(A traditional self defense practice of Kerala) at CVN Kalari Kaduthuruthi and this rigorous practice instilled in him self confidence and evolved his personality to face the difficulties patiently and take stern decisions at critical moments. He was acknowledged as an avid participant in sports and arts activities in regional, district and state level. His interest in adventure sports attracted him to Nehru Yuva Kendra’s National Bicycle Safari, and at the age of 15 he traveled from Kerala to Delhi to participate in the Independence Day Celebrations in 1985, International Youth Year. He traveled back to Kerala in bicycle and reached at a record time of 9 and ½ days covering more than 3000 kms. All the cyclists reached Delhi from different parts of the country decided to return back home by train, Rajeev opted for a return journey by cycle showing an adventurous and determined persona. He determined to live up to the sprit of the journey to spread the message of National Integration. On his return journey, after covering a few kilometers alone, Mr. C.K. Prabhakaran, a senior member of the Kerala Team joined with him. They travelled through the geographical diversities, interacting and staying with the poorest of the poor among street beggar communities, suffering a lot of physical and mental agonies, only to strengthen the will power to face the hard realities in future. He saw people starving for days, children quarrelling over a piece of bread, beggars fighting for a little space at night to put their head at rest. He too faced starvation, spent nights under trees on roadside and continued journey on the mercy of food and shelter provided by sympathetic strangers. All these bitter experiences he faced and witnessed, resolved his mind to work for the under privileged and to fight to ensure food security for all citizens.

In 1986, he led the Kerala team to National Integration Camp held at Haridwar organized by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sanghatan, Delhi. In 1988, he started the extraordinary ‘World Tour on Bi-cycle’, named ‘World Peace and Disarmament Mission’ to spread the message of world peace and disarmament flagged off by Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, former President of India. Government of India supported this ‘Peace Mission’ and a number of Central Ministers and then Prime Minister late Rajiv Gandhi took special initiatives to see this adventurous mission a successful one. Besides various Student Unions in India, Lions Club, Rotary Club and YMCA extended financial support and sponsored the peace expedition. On his expedition, he tried to sensitize the leaders and common people about the need of the formation of a ‘World Government to Implement World Peace and Disarmament’.

In the same year, he led another bi-cycle rally in and around Delhi to spread awareness against ‘Drug Addiction and its Distribution’ organized by Lions Club of Delhi, Kanishka. As organizing secretary of Solidarity Movement, New Delhi he was actively participated in ‘Relief Work for Latoor Earthquake Victims’ in 1989. Iraq attacked Kuwait in 1990 and unrest prevailed all over Gulf for 2 years. At that time of disastrous Gulf War, Rajeev Joseph started a ‘Hunger Strike’ at Boat Club, New Delhi to express his anguish over the invasion of Kuwait and he called for restoration of peace in Gulf countries. The hunger strike started on 21st October 1990 and continued for 12 days. On 29th October the police arrested him and send back to Kerala in Kerala Express. In the train also he continued fast and on 1st November he ended his strike after the intervention from the Prime Minister of India’s office and requests from scores of Gandhians, human right activists and peace activists. It is pertinent to note that this is only protest against Gulf War by an activist taking his life at risk and courageously fasted for 12 days.

He continued with his active participation in peace and disarmament campaign….during this period he was thinking seriously over the need of a World Government. To popularize his ideas about World Government he planned to form public libraries in different countries. Then he registered a library network called ‘International Public Library (IPL)’ under the Societies Registration Act 1860 of Govt. of India and continued its activities for a while in Delhi and moved to UAE to expand its activities at an international level. The first library of IPL was opened at Sharjah in May 1998 in the name of ‘Five Star Library’ and within a short period it became one of the popular libraries in UAE.

Meanwhile, Rajeev Joseph married to Molly Scaria, staff nurse at Lady Hardings Medical College, New Delhi in 1996. They are blessed with two daughters, Agnes and Tessa.

In association with Sharjah Indian Association UAE, under the banner of International Public Library, he organized many Leadership and Personality Development Programs for Children and Adults in Dubai and Sharjah and summer camps for children of UAE in Sharjah for 1999, 2000 and 2001. In the same years, he organized Sports and Arts Training Programs on a regular basis for the members of Five Star Library in Sharjah with the support of Sharjah Indian Association and Progressive English School, Sharjah. Under his chairmanship ‘Quiz World Cup 2002’ was conducted at Indian Consulate Auditorium, Dubai, UAE on 12th April 2002. The event was inaugurated by Dr. George Joseph, Consular General of India. Hundreds of students of different nationalities participated in this first ever Quiz World Cup. At the time of Gujarat earth quake in 2001, Five Star Library took lead role to send relief materials to the earthquake affected areas in Gujarat and donated Rs. 1.68 Lakhs to Indian Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. In 2002 and 2003, he anchored ‘GQC Family Dinner Quiz’ for Asianet Television, one of the popular TV channel in Malayalam. This unique multi episode program was produced by ‘Taste Buds Restaurant’ owned by Malayalam Superstar Mohanlal. With this popular and much talked about Quiz Program Rajeev Joseph emerged as a prominent TV personality in Gulf Countries.

His love for ‘Environment’ always inspired him to conduct some innovative programs to spread awareness about the urgent need to protect the earth. He organized a cleaning program to clean up the Jeddaf Sea Port area, Dubai on the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s Birth Anniversary on 2nd October 2003. GQC Fine Arts Dubai, Eminent Educational Institute-Dubai and Dubai Municipality supported the program.

Rajeev Joseph came to limelight when he led hundreds of volunteers of GQC Fine Arts, Dubai to participate in the cleaning campaign to protect Jumeirah Beach, Dubai as part of ‘Clean up the World 2003’ campaign organized by United Nations and Dubai Municipality.

In UAE, Rajeev Joseph was in good touch with almost all Indian organizations. He realized that all those organizations were limited within the geographical boundaries of the work place of the members. He also sensed that the activities of most of these organizations in alien countries were limited to some get-togethers on special occasions. NRIs all over the world are facing a lot of problems, but majority of these problems could be solved with the proper intervention of Govt.of India. The visionary in him began to think about the formation of an organization with the entire representation of the Diaspora and he formed ‘Global Indian Association (GIA)’ in Dubai in 2005.

Global Indian Association (GIA) is an international platform for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) around the world and returned NRIs to unite together to present share and solve the issues related to migration and work, welfare activities, co-ordination with Government of India and the Embassies of the respective countries in India. Now, as founder president of GIA, Rajeev Joseph is negotiating with NRIs in different countries to form city wise ‘GIA Regional Chapters’ to stimulate the activities of GIA.

After spending meaningful 10 years in UAE Rajeev Joseph came back to India and made Delhi as his hub of activities. He steered GQC Creations and organized ‘Painting Competitions for Children on Environment’ at Sreenivaspuri, Lodhi Road Complex and GTB Enclave in Delhi and Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh.

Rajeev Joseph was active in student politics before leaving for world bicycle expedition. After conceiving the idea for a world tour on cycle to spread the message of World Peace and Disarmament, he passed through the worst forms of starvation, neglect, political apathy and dreadful days in the capital of India even though the idea was well accepted by persons at highest echelons of life including then prime minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi. Good people from Delhi Police, Media and Kerala House and a few friends were there to make his vision fulfilled but a number of times he was brutally sabotaged by the people from whom the help should have extended. Overcoming all the difficulties he started his expedition with grit and determination. His movement through the unknown areas was not so smooth. On his cycle expedition through the heartlands of India and neighboring countries he not only witnessed but faced acute starvation. Even though, he was professionally successful in UAE, there too he faced the devilish forms of starvation and abject poverty to keep alive International Public Library movement. It was a realization for him that without political power it is too difficult to eradicate poverty from the lives of people. There are limitations for the individuals or civil society organizations to wash away poverty from the society. He comprehended that only being a part of legislation making mechanism; corrective measures can be taken to ward off unemployment and poverty from the society, ensure food security and health security for the deserving people. Starvation is a multipronged misfortune griping over the lives of billions in the third world countries. So with a clear vision to empower the poor for a sustainable living and food security he entered politics after a gap of 10 years.

He was drawn to ‘Congress Sevadal’ and outstandingly performed in the State Officers Training Camp and inducted as ‘State Officer’ and conducted training programs throughout Kerala. At the same time, he was nominated to the 7 member committee of Research and Development Group of All India Congress Sevadal as recognition to his efforts to revitalize Sevadal through his training expertise, organizing capabilities and developmental initiatives. His international exposure of youth affairs, innovative ideas and die hard commitment to fulfil the duties entrusted with were added advantages for him to get an entry in to the high power body to strengthen Sevadal through social interventions. Meanwhile, Rajeev Joseph got chances to be a part of Congress President, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi’s private security personnel provided by Sevadal at her residence, 10 Janpath, New Delhi.

Rajeev’s passion for developmental issues, human rights, peace activities and environment paved way to conduct a bunch of activities in Delhi during this period. A detailed description of the above mentioned activities are already included in specific activity area in this website.

To express the dissent over VHP’s call for a ‘Bandh’ on Christmas Day in Orissa, he started a ‘Hunger strike until success or death’ at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 10th December 2008, International Human Rights Day. During the strike period Rajeev Joseph and his associates sent faxes to the offices of President of India, Prime Minister of India, Home Minister, Opposition Leaders in Parliament, Chief Minister of Orissa and VHP Leaders every day demanding to persuade VHP and Bajrang Dal to withdraw “Bandh’ calling. Representatives of civil society organizations, human rights organizations, peace activists, academicians, Delhi Malayalee Association, Members of World Council of Arya Samaj founded by Swami Agnivesh, Political leaders and Parliamentarians visited the strike venue and offered their support. He successfully ended the hunger strike on 11th day on the withdrawal of ‘Bandh’ calling by VHP on 20th December 2008. Withdrawal of the ‘Bandh’ averted large scale human causalities and safe guarded nation’s secular credentials. After ending his hunger strike Rajeev Joseph applauded the VHP leaders for their broadminded attitude to sense the sentiments of the minorities in Orissa.

End of 2008, Rajeev Joseph planned to start Rajiv’s World, a public library under International Public Library project at Wayanad in Kerala. Smt. Sonia Gandhi gifted a book compiled by her on Rajiv Gandhi to the library, which was the first book to the library. Unfortunately, some of the local congress leaders at Wayanad tried to take control over this people friendly project for personal gains and Rajeev vehemently opposed these movements and eventually much untoward incidents occurred. Circumstances compelled Rajeev to desperately abandon his dream project. He suffered huge financial losses apart from fabricated litigations. Later the litigations were come in his favour, but he lost valuable books worth in lakhs. There were rumours about the parliament candidature of the congress leader orchestrated all efforts to sabotage Rajeev’s project. To challenge him democratically and bring own woes to the public, he decided to contest the election as an independent candidate. Later, Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) offered support to him. It was an unsuccessful attempt, but Rajeev believes it was a ‘black day’ on his political life and an ever conscious biting experience for him to contest against a genuine congress candidate unintentionally. The person who maneuvered ‘Rajiv’s World’s snare didn’t manage to garner congress ticket and later he was ousted from the congress party. After the conclusion of the election, senior congress leaders advised Rajeev to come back to the party and he decided to rejoin Congress. According to Rajeev when he was out of the party for a short while he realized that it was only congress could deliver good governance above the barriers, of caste, creed, economic disparity, and regionalism. So when he rejoined the party he gave an advice on the basis of his experience to the leaders engage in infighting to stop infighting and work for the congress party as it is the only party in India to provide a stable government and people friendly governance. He also adds that now he can work vigorously for the congress party due to his experiences and realizations when he was out of the party. Now, he, as the Delhi State President of Congress South Indian Forum supports the parent organization uniting and revitalizing the South Indian congress workers in Delhi through various developmental activities and initiatives.

In January 2010, peace activist in Rajeev became more sensitive to the issue of world peace and formed ‘International Action Council for World Government’ and started vigorous campaign through Facebook and other community social networks to garner support for the same.

The ‘International Action Council for World Government’ has been created to explore the ideas and possibility of forming a ‘World Government’. There are so many international organizations formed in different countries to ‘Fight for World Peace’ and Implement ‘Disarmament’. The last till date is United Nations..! That is also failing to establish peace on this earth! It is only a dummy organization; which has no power or authority over any Nation. Only a bunch of officers who depends on their pay check are struggling to hold onto their positions until they retire. They would distribute food packets among war victims after war and crime has already taken place. There is no any action to prevent war clouds! That's why the idea of ‘World Government’ has found much popularity in this century. In this critical situation, the one and only solution for ‘World Peace’ is a democratically elected ‘World Government’. At present Rajeev Joseph is in touch with World Leaders, Academicians, Policy Makers, Office Bearers of International Organizations, and Parliamentarians of different countries to sensitize the need for a World Government at the time of uncertainty, insecurity and international terror. International Action Council for World Government has prepared a calendar of events to conduct Conventions, Seminars, Conferences and Press Meets in different countries in collaboration with different peace and human rights organizations around the world. First of its kind Convention will be held at New Delhi on 17th and 18th December 2011 with a participation of 3000 delegates from different countries and a number of world leaders are expected to participate in the 2 days International Convention.

As part of Congress 125 year anniversary celebrations, Congress South Indian Forum organized a state level ‘Painting Competition’ at Sreenivaspuri on the ‘History of Congress’ participating more than 3000 children including adults. This rarest of rare competition attracted more than 5000 viewers was the brain child of Rajeev Joseph. A horde of national level congress leaders were flown to the venue to witness the imaginations on paper on Congress History, leaders and events. Some of the eminent personalities evaluated the event as the confluence of vision, innovation and imagination of the team led by Rajeev Joseph.

Rajeev Joseph toured and campaigned for Congress Candidates in Bihar Assembly Election-2010 along with Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee President Mr. Chaudhari Mehboob Ali Qaizar, national leaders including UPCC President Mrs. Rita Bahuguna Joshi, and Mr. Mohammed Azaruddin, MP.

First time in the history of Kerala Assembly Election, A UDF Election Committee Office was opened in Delhi and Rajeev Joseph led election campaign for UDF candidates for Assembly Election 2011 even in Kerala bound Trains for 15 days. It was received as a innovative style of campaign not only by the leaders but also by the passengers in trains, most of them were voters in Kerala. Apart from traditional way of campaign, thousands of post cards requesting votes for UDF candidates were sent to Kerala by Delhi UDF Election Committee Office

An avid activist on international matters like, World Government, Peace and Disarmament, NRI issues, Environment, Rajeev Joseph is equally interested in Malayalam language, literature and Kerala Culture. For the last 4 years, he is dynamically participating in the Activities of Delhi Malayalee Association (DMA) as Chairman of DMA Sreenivaspuri Area Committee. DMA is one of the biggest, popular and oldest Malayalee Associations in the world functioning from 1949. Within a record time of 2 months, as Convener, Rajeev Joseph undertook the herculean task of opening 23 Malayalam Language Study Centers initiated by Govt. of Kerala in different parts of Delhi with the support of DMA Area Committees.

Rajeev Joseph is presently active in his social and human rights issues, Indian politics along with a clear outlook on international politics. The flame was risen up at the age of 15 to fight for World Government and Implement World Peace….he started a journey alone but with a determination, years passed by and at 43 now, he has done a lot but miles to go before call it a day….He has expanded his intellectual invasion to more than 80 countries with a staunch support base of 5000 members through community social networks. His popularity is abundant and his concept is intruding to the best brains in the world.