International Public Library
To popularize his ideas about World Government, Rajeev Joseph planned to form public libraries in different countries. Then he registered a library network called ‘International Public Library (IPL)’ in Delhi 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. Rajeev Joseph aimed at the establishment of a chain of public libraries around the world mainly in villages where illiteracy is the main curse to alleviate the people from main stream of life and deprived of even basic rights. Rajeev Joseph farsighted to emerge these village level libraries as the resource centre for the villagers to get wide range of knowledge on various subjects to equip them to acquire enough skills for a sustainable living. 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. 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. Coaching Classes for Basket Ball, Badminton, Karate, Carnatic Music, Dance, Musical Instruments and Drawing & Painting where part of the training programs for students continuously for more than 3 years since 1998.
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 in UAE. Hundreds of students of different nationalities participated in this first ever Quiz World Cup.
At the time of Gujarat earthquake 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. Rajeev Joseph, the President of Five star Library shouldered the task to form a Gujarat Earthquake Relief Committee of 21 members to co-ordinate and extend relief support activities in Sharjah and other Emirates to collect cash and kinds for the relief of victims of Gujarat Earthquake.
After coming back to Delhi, Rajeev Joseph worked for 2 years continuously to choke out plans to establish a chain of public libraries in the rural villages of India building up resources and books. End of 2008, Rajeev Joseph planned to start Rajiv’s World, a public library under International Public Library project at Wayanad in Kerala, in fond memory of Late Rajiv Gandhi, Former Prime Minister of India. Mrs. Sonia Gandhi gifted a book, ‘Rajiv’s World’ compiled by her on Rajiv Gandhi to the library, which was the first book to the library mission. 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. The hostile attitude of some of the vested interested people put reins to a people friendly library project for a while, Rajeev Joseph is optimistic and moving forward with the realisation of his vision project. |
