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J. Alexander | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Tourism,Government of Karnataka | |
| In office 2003–2004 | |
| Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1938-08-08)8 August 1938 Kandachira,Mangad,Kollam,British Raj |
| Died | 14 January 2022(2022-01-14) (aged 83) Bangalore,Karnataka, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Political party | Indian National Congress |
| Spouse | Delfin |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University College, Trivandrum Karnataka University |
| Occupation |
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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 firstIndian Administrative Service officer to serve as a minister in the State.[1]
Alexander was born in Mangad, inKollam 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 fromUniversity College, Trivandrum and did his PhD in Philosophy fromKarnataka University.[2]
Alexander started his career as a lecturer in English inFatima Mata National College, Kollam and joined theIndian 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 appointedchief secretary by then Chief Minister,Sarekoppa Bangarappa.[3]
After retirement from the civil service, he joined theIndian National Congress, and contested elections to theKarnataka Legislative Assembly. He became a member of the Legislative Assembly fromBharathi Nagar (presentlySarvagnanagar) in Bangalore, and became a cabinet minister for tourism inS. 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 ofKarnataka 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]
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 toCOVID-19.[5]
| Organizations | |
|---|---|
| Award presented to Civil Servants | |
| Indian Administrative Service Officers | |
| Indian Police Service officers | |
| Indian Foreign Service officers | |
| Indian Forest Service Officers | |
