Joe D’Cruz is a renowned Indian novelist, commercial shipping professional and documentary filmmaker who has made significant contributions to Tamil cinema, Indian literature and social welfare.
Contents
Wiki/Biography
RN Joe D’Cruz was born in 1969 (age 54 years; as of 2023) in Village Uvari, District Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India. He studied in schools in Uvari and Idaiyangudi villages. After completing his schooling, he went to Loyola College in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to pursue an MA degree in Economics. Later, he obtained an M.Phil degree from St. Joseph’s College in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
Physical Appearance
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye colour: black
family and caste
Joe D’Cruz is from ‘Roman Catholic Parawar’ in Uwari, a coastal village.
parents and siblings
There is not much information about his parents.
Joe D’Cruz with his mother
wife and children
His wife’s name is Shashikala D’Cruz and the couple has two children.
other relatives
His grandfather’s name is Thomas Andrew.
livelihood
ship management
Joe D’Cruz joined the commercial shipping industry soon after completing his higher education.
A young Joe D’Cruz was working for a ship management company in Tamil Nadu
For more than three decades, he served as Chairman of NTC Logistics Pvt Ltd and Vice Chairman of JM Baxi & Company.
literary work
In 2004, Joe D’Cruz published a book of Tamil poems titled ‘Pulambazhkal’. His writings mostly talk about the history and life of the Parthavar fishermen in Tamil Nadu.
Cover of Joe D’Cruz’s book ‘Pulambazakal’
In 2005, he released his novel ‘Aazhi Suze Ulagu’, which earned him the Tamil Nadu State Government Literary Award and the Tamil Literary Garden Award. In this novel, he highlights the lives of fishermen using catamarans and their conversion to Christianity.
Cover of RN Joe D’Cruz’s novel ‘Azi Suz Ulagu’
Joe D’Cruz’s novel ‘Korkai’ was released in 2009 and won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2013. The novel is based on the story of an ancient port city ruled by the early Pandyan Empire. It focuses on the pearl and shell divers of the 20th century community.
Cover of RN Joe D’Cruz’s novel ‘Korkai’
His other literary works include Asthinapuram (2016), Veerapiditha Vilai Nilangal (2017), Kavanam Thedum Kadaloram (2019), and Padaipugaalin Uraiyadaal (2020).
documentary films
He made a documentary film ‘Vidyatha Pozhuthukal’ in 2008. In 2010, Joe D’Cruz released another documentary titled ‘Towards Dawn’, which mainly focused on the difficulties faced by Tamil fishermen. After this he wrote dialogues for the Tamil film ‘Marian’ in 2013.
Poster of Tamil movie ‘Marion’
Joe D’Cruz is associated as the state president of Sanskrit Bharati, a non-profit group in Tamil Nadu. This group is dedicated to the protection of Sanskrit language.
Logo of Sanskrit Bharati NGO
In 2011, he raised his voice against the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project citing its negative impact on the livelihood of fishermen.
A rally was organized against the establishment of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in 2011
He believes in the importance of improving existing ports in India rather than starting new port projects. Hence, in 2017, he protested against the proposed ‘International Container Transshipment Terminal’ at Enayam in Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu.
A march against the ‘International Container Transshipment Terminal’ in Enayam (2017)
In 2017, the Government of India appointed Joe D’Cruz as Member of the National Shipping Board in the Ministry of Shipping.
A young Joe D’Cruz was working for a ship management company in Tamil Nadu
Joe D’Cruz often supports Indian LGBTQA+ activist Gopi Shankar Madurai. She has served on the advisory board of Srishti Madurai, a volunteer group for LGBTQA+ students.
award
- 2013: Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel ‘Korkai’
- 2024: Padmashree in the field of literature and education
Facts/General Knowledge
- During the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Joe D’Cruz showed his support for BJP’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi on his Facebook page. As a result he faced threats and hate mail.
- In the same year, he planned to translate his book “Aazhi Sooz Ulagu” from Tamil to English. However, the publisher, S. Anand and the translator, V. Geeta, stopped the translation in response to D’Cruz’s support of Modi.
- After facing criticism from his peers, Joe D’Cruz clarified the reason for stopping the translation of the book during a media discussion. They said,
This is because of my opinion expressed on Facebook that Narendra Modi is the right choice for Prime Minister. I think his actions reflect a narrow mindset.”
- He criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2017 and accused them of strengthening the caste system, Manu Smriti and empowering violent political forces over beef consumption.
- After this Joe D’Cruz criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not helping the poor. He also disagreed with the BJP government’s plan for a ‘Maritime Container Terminal’ at Enayam in Tamil Nadu, saying it would amount to a natural disaster despite claims of being a natural port.
- He supported the ‘Sampark Se Samarthan’ (Contact for Support) program which was led by PM Narendra Modi in 2018.
Joe D’Cruz supporting the ‘Contact Support’ program (2018)
- Joe D’Cruz likes to smoke cigars on various occasions.
Joe D’Cruz smoking a cigar
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn