J. Alexander (politician)
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J. Alexander | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Tourism, Government of Karnataka | |
| In office 2003–2004 | |
| Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 August 1938 Kandachira, Mangad, Kollam, British Raj |
| Died | 14 January 2022 (aged 83) Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse | Delfin |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University College, Trivandrum Karnataka University |
| Occupation |
|
Joseph Alexander (8 August 1938 – 14 January 2022) was an Indian bureaucrat and politician who served as Chief Secretary and Cabinet Minister, Karnataka State. He was the first Indian Administrative Service officer to serve as a minister in the State.[1]
Early life
[edit]Alexander was born in Mangad, in Kollam District of Kerala State on 8 August 1938 in a middle-class family; one out of seven children of John Joseph and Elizabeth Joseph. His early education was in Kollam until he finished B.A in English Language and Literature. He did his M.A in English Literature from University College, Trivandrum and did his PhD in Philosophy from Karnataka University.[2]
Career
[edit]Alexander started his career as a lecturer in English in Fatima Mata National College, Kollam and joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in 1963, where he was allotted to Karnataka State cadre.[2]
He served for 33 years in various departments as district commissioner and district magistrate of Dharwad District, Karnataka, revenue commissioner of Karnataka State and chairman, Karnataka State Revenue Appellate Tribunal, commissioner and chief executive of Bangalore City Municipal Corporation. chairman of the Bangalore Development Authority, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board, Karnataka state Urban water supply and sewerage board, Slum Clearance Board, and housing board.[citation needed]
He was also chief executive of Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, chairman and managing director, Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers, Mangalore, and chairman of several other enterprises. He was appointed chief secretary by then Chief Minister, Sarekoppa Bangarappa.[3]
After retirement from the civil service, he joined the Indian National Congress, and contested elections to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. He became a member of the Legislative Assembly from Bharathi Nagar (presently Sarvagnanagar) in Bangalore, and became a cabinet minister for tourism in S. M. Krishna Ministry.[2] In the process, he became the first former IAS officer to become a Minister in Karnataka.[3] Later, he became vice-president of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, Karnataka. He left the Indian National Congress in 2019, claiming that the party neglected Christians. However, he stayed on after being convinced by senior leaders.[4]
He served as president of Bangalore City YMCA for more than 30 years. He was also advisory board member in Global Organization of People of Indian Origin(GOPIO), board of governors of Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship Bangalore and chairman of its branch in KOCHI, Kerala.[5]
Personal life and death
[edit]Alexander was married to Delfin Alexander, with whom he had two sons. He died from a heart attack at a hospital in Bangalore, on 14 January 2022, at the age of 83, due to COVID-19.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ "From IAS officer to minister". Deccan Herald. 13 December 2003. Archived from the original on 22 March 2005. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "J Alexander, former Karnataka minister of Kerala origin, passes away". Onmanorama. Malayala Manorama Company Limited. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Alexander, first former IAS officer to become Minister". The Hindu. 13 December 2003. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2024.
- ^ "Former IAS, minister J Alexander dead". Deccan Herald. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
- ^ a b "കർണാടക മുൻ മന്ത്രിയും മുൻ ചീഫ് സെക്രട്ടറിയുമായ മലയാളി ജെ.അലക്സാണ്ടർ അന്തരിച്ചു". Malayala Manorama (in Malayalam). Retrieved 15 January 2022.
