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{{Short description|Indian lawyer, journalist, and politician}} | |||
{{BLP sources|date=November 2025}} | |||
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2015}} | {{Use Indian English|date=June 2015}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} | ||
{{Infobox officeholder | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
| name = Joachim Alva | | name = Joachim Alva | ||
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1907|1|21}} | | birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1907|1|21}} | ||
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1979|6|28|1907|1|21}} | | death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|1979|6|28|1907|1|21}} | ||
| | | spouse = {{marriage |[[Violet Alva]]|1937|1969|end=died}} | ||
| image = JoachimAlva.jpg | | image = JoachimAlva.jpg | ||
| caption = Joachim Alva, c. 1938 | | caption = Joachim Alva, c. 1938 | ||
| | | office = [[Sheriff of Bombay]] | ||
| | | term = 1949–1950 | ||
| | | predecessor = [[Mahadeo Laxman Dahanukar]] | ||
| | | successor = [[Sir Fazal Ibrahim Rahimtoola]] | ||
| | | office1 = [[Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]] | ||
| term2 = 1952–1967 | | constituency1 = [[List of nominated members of Rajya Sabha|Nominated]] | ||
}}[[File:Joachim and Violet Alva 2008 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|Joachim and Violet Alva on a 2008 stamp of India]] | | termstart1 = 3 April 1968 | ||
| termend1 = 2 April 1974 | |||
| office2 = [[Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha]] | |||
| constituency2 = [[Kanara (Lok Sabha constituency)]] | |||
| term2 = 1952–1967 | |||
| relations = [[Margaret Alva]] (Daughter-in-law) | |||
}} | |||
[[File:Joachim and Violet Alva 2008 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|Joachim and Violet Alva on a 2008 stamp of India]] | |||
'''Joachim Ignatius Sebastian | '''Joachim Ignatius Sebastian Alva''' (21 January 1907 – 28 June 1979) was an Indian lawyer, journalist and politician from [[Mangalore]].<ref name="mem">{{cite web|url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/pre_member/1952_2003/a.pdf|title=Rajya Sabha Members Biographical Sketches 1952 – 2003 :A|publisher=Rajya Sabha website}}</ref> He was a prominent [[Mangalorean Christian]] figure involved in the [[Indian independence movement]]. | ||
After Independence, Alva was appointed [[ | After Independence, Alva was appointed [[Sheriff of Bombay]] in 1949 for the [[Bombay state]]. In 1950, he entered the Provisional Parliament of India. He was elected to the [[Lok Sabha]] in 1952, 1957, and 1962 from North [[Kanara]]. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1968 and retired from the Rajya Sabha in 1974. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| Line 31: | Line 40: | ||
|isbn=978-81-87609-01-8|page=111}}</ref> He was educated at the Jesuit [[St. Aloysius College, Mangalore]], [[Elphinstone College]], [[Government Law College, Mumbai]] and the Jesuit [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]]. | |isbn=978-81-87609-01-8|page=111}}</ref> He was educated at the Jesuit [[St. Aloysius College, Mangalore]], [[Elphinstone College]], [[Government Law College, Mumbai]] and the Jesuit [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]]. | ||
In 1928, Alva became the first Christian to be | In 1928, Alva became the first Christian to be elected as Secretary of the fifty-year-old Bombay Students' Brotherhood. Along with [[Khurshed Nariman]], H.D. Raja, Yusuf Meherally and Soli Batliwala, he was a pioneer of the Bombay Youth League. | ||
In 1930, Alva founded the Nationalist Christian Party with the goal of drawing the Christian community into the freedom struggle. He was expelled from St. Xavier's College for moving a resolution at the Catholic Students Union urging it to throw open its doors to students | In 1930, Alva founded the Nationalist Christian Party with the goal of drawing the Christian community into the freedom struggle. He borrowed and earned money to pay his way through college. He was expelled from [[St. Xavier's College, Mumbai]] for moving a resolution at the Catholic Students Union urging it to throw open its doors to non-Catholic students. In 1937, Alva presided over a large meeting of Christians at Bombay addressed by [[Jawaharlal Nehru]]. He was actively involved in organizing the "No-Tax" campaign at the [[Bardoli Satyagraha]], the boycotting of the [[Simon Commission]] and appointed President of the Bombay Congress "War Council". | ||
Imprisoned twice by British Indian authorities on charges of [[sedition]], Alva was jail companion to [[Vallabhbhai Patel]], [[Jayaprakash Narayan]], [[Morarji Desai]] and [[J. C. Kumarappa]]. In 1934, [[Mahatma Gandhi]] wrote a letter to Alva to inform him that he had missed him at [[Yerwada Central Jail|Yerwada Jail]] because of his early release. | Imprisoned twice by British Indian authorities on charges of [[sedition]] for a total of three years, Alva was jail companion to [[Vallabhbhai Patel]], [[Jayaprakash Narayan]], [[Morarji Desai]] and [[J. C. Kumarappa]]. In 1934, [[Mahatma Gandhi]] wrote a letter to Alva to inform him that he had missed him at [[Yerwada Central Jail|Yerwada Jail]] because of his early release. | ||
In Nasik prison, Alva wrote two books: ''Men and Supermen of Hindustan'' and ''Indian Christians and Nationalism.'' Although the manuscripts of both were confiscated by prison authorities, ''Men and Supermen of Hindustan'' was subsequently re-drafted and published in 1943. | In 1941, in Nasik prison, Alva wrote two books: ''Men and Supermen of Hindustan'' and ''Indian Christians and Nationalism.'' Although the manuscripts of both were confiscated by prison authorities, ''Men and Supermen of Hindustan'' was subsequently re-drafted and published in 1943. | ||
In 1937, Alva married [[Violet Alva|Violet Hari]], a Gujarati Protestant from [[Ahmedabad]] and professor of English at St. Xavier's Indian Women's University College. Violet would also go on to become active in national politics. | In 1937, Alva married [[Violet Alva|Violet Hari]], a Gujarati Protestant from [[Ahmedabad]] and professor of English at St. Xavier's Indian Women's University College. Violet would also go on to become active in national politics. | ||
On 9 August 1943, the first anniversary of Quit India Day, | On 9 August 1943, the first anniversary of Quit India Day, Joachim and Violet Alva founded and debuted ''FORUM'', a weekly news magazine which became known for its championing of the cause of independence. | ||
After Independence, Alva was appointed [[Sheriff of Mumbai|Sheriff of Bombay]] in 1949 | ''FORUM'' blazed a trail in Indian journalism, marking the beginning of a trend of political weekly news magazines. Alva's office was often raided for seditious material. In spite of the sweeping powers of the British Raj, he penned a historic editorial "Halt This March To the Gallows". | ||
After Independence, Alva was appointed [[Sheriff of Mumbai|Sheriff of Bombay]] in 1949 and entered the Provisional Parliament of India in 1950. He was elected to the [[Lok Sabha]] from North Kanara in the first three General Elections in 1952, 1957 and 1962. | |||
An early advocate of planning, the public sector, nationalised banking and state control over major industries, he condemned France's napalm bombing of Indo-China and staunchly supported the Vietnamese cause. In 1962, Alva led on India's attempts for closer ties with China, meeting [[Mao Zedong]] and [[Zhou Enlai]] in Beijing. | |||
In 1952, Violet was elected to the [[Rajya Sabha]] making her and Joachim the first couple to be elected to Parliament under adult franchise. | |||
The Government of India issued a stamp commemorating the couple in November 2008.<ref name=re>[http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/20stamp-released-of-joachim-alva-and-violet.htm A stamp in memory of Joachim and Violet Alva] [[Rediff.com]], 20 November 2008.</ref> | The Government of India issued a stamp commemorating the couple in November 2008.<ref name=re>[http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/nov/20stamp-released-of-joachim-alva-and-violet.htm A stamp in memory of Joachim and Violet Alva] [[Rediff.com]], 20 November 2008.</ref> | ||
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Joachim and Violet Alva had two sons, Niranjan and Chittaranjan, and a daughter, Maya. | Joachim and Violet Alva had two sons, Niranjan and Chittaranjan, and a daughter, Maya. | ||
The couple were close associates of [[Khin Kyi]], Burma's ambassador to India from 1960, widow of Burmese nationalist [[Aung San|General Aung San]] | The couple were close associates of [[Khin Kyi]], Burma's ambassador to India from 1960, widow of Burmese nationalist [[Aung San|General Aung San]]. | ||
His son Niranjan is married to [[Margaret Alva]], née Margaret Nazareth | His son Niranjan is married to [[Margaret Alva]], née Margaret Nazareth who was served as former General Secretary of the [[All India Congress Committee]], former [[Governor of Uttarakhand]], [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]] and [[Goa]].<ref name="pia">{{cite web|url=http://www.parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok13/biodata/13KN22.htm|title=Smt. Margaret Alva,: Bio-sketch|publisher=[[Parliament of India]] website}}</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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[[Category:1907 births]] | [[Category:1907 births]] | ||
[[Category:1979 deaths]] | [[Category:1979 deaths]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:India MPs 1952–1957]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:India MPs 1957–1962]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:India MPs 1962–1967]] | ||
[[Category:Indian independence activists from Karnataka]] | [[Category:Indian independence activists from Karnataka]] | ||
[[Category:Indian Roman Catholics]] | [[Category:Indian Roman Catholics]] | ||
| Line 96: | Line 90: | ||
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka]] | [[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Karnataka]] | ||
[[Category:Sheriffs of Mumbai]] | [[Category:Sheriffs of Mumbai]] | ||
[[Category:Prisoners and detainees of British India]] | |||
Latest revision as of 22:43, 9 December 2025
 |
Joachim Alva | |
|---|---|
 Joachim Alva, c. 1938 | |
| Sheriff of Bombay | |
| In office 1949–1950 | |
| Preceded by | Mahadeo Laxman Dahanukar |
| Succeeded by | Sir Fazal Ibrahim Rahimtoola |
| Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha | |
| In office 3 April 1968 – 2 April 1974 | |
| Constituency | Nominated |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 1952–1967 | |
| Constituency | Kanara (Lok Sabha constituency) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 21 January 1907 |
| Died | 28 June 1979 (aged 72) |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Relations | Margaret Alva (Daughter-in-law) |
Joachim Ignatius Sebastian Alva (21 January 1907 – 28 June 1979) was an Indian lawyer, journalist and politician from Mangalore.[1] He was a prominent Mangalorean Christian figure involved in the Indian independence movement.
After Independence, Alva was appointed Sheriff of Bombay in 1949 for the Bombay state. In 1950, he entered the Provisional Parliament of India. He was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1952, 1957, and 1962 from North Kanara. He was nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 1968 and retired from the Rajya Sabha in 1974.
History[edit | edit source]
Joachim Alva belonged to the Alva-Bhat, a Mangalorean Catholic clan from Belle in Udupi district.[2] He was educated at the Jesuit St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, Elphinstone College, Government Law College, Mumbai and the Jesuit St. Xavier's College, Mumbai.
In 1928, Alva became the first Christian to be elected as Secretary of the fifty-year-old Bombay Students' Brotherhood. Along with Khurshed Nariman, H.D. Raja, Yusuf Meherally and Soli Batliwala, he was a pioneer of the Bombay Youth League.
In 1930, Alva founded the Nationalist Christian Party with the goal of drawing the Christian community into the freedom struggle. He borrowed and earned money to pay his way through college. He was expelled from St. Xavier's College, Mumbai for moving a resolution at the Catholic Students Union urging it to throw open its doors to non-Catholic students. In 1937, Alva presided over a large meeting of Christians at Bombay addressed by Jawaharlal Nehru. He was actively involved in organizing the "No-Tax" campaign at the Bardoli Satyagraha, the boycotting of the Simon Commission and appointed President of the Bombay Congress "War Council".
Imprisoned twice by British Indian authorities on charges of sedition for a total of three years, Alva was jail companion to Vallabhbhai Patel, Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai and J. C. Kumarappa. In 1934, Mahatma Gandhi wrote a letter to Alva to inform him that he had missed him at Yerwada Jail because of his early release.
In 1941, in Nasik prison, Alva wrote two books: Men and Supermen of Hindustan and Indian Christians and Nationalism. Although the manuscripts of both were confiscated by prison authorities, Men and Supermen of Hindustan was subsequently re-drafted and published in 1943.
In 1937, Alva married Violet Hari, a Gujarati Protestant from Ahmedabad and professor of English at St. Xavier's Indian Women's University College. Violet would also go on to become active in national politics.
On 9 August 1943, the first anniversary of Quit India Day, Joachim and Violet Alva founded and debuted FORUM, a weekly news magazine which became known for its championing of the cause of independence.
FORUM blazed a trail in Indian journalism, marking the beginning of a trend of political weekly news magazines. Alva's office was often raided for seditious material. In spite of the sweeping powers of the British Raj, he penned a historic editorial "Halt This March To the Gallows".
After Independence, Alva was appointed Sheriff of Bombay in 1949 and entered the Provisional Parliament of India in 1950. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from North Kanara in the first three General Elections in 1952, 1957 and 1962.
An early advocate of planning, the public sector, nationalised banking and state control over major industries, he condemned France's napalm bombing of Indo-China and staunchly supported the Vietnamese cause. In 1962, Alva led on India's attempts for closer ties with China, meeting Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai in Beijing.
In 1952, Violet was elected to the Rajya Sabha making her and Joachim the first couple to be elected to Parliament under adult franchise.
The Government of India issued a stamp commemorating the couple in November 2008.[3]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Joachim and Violet Alva had two sons, Niranjan and Chittaranjan, and a daughter, Maya.
The couple were close associates of Khin Kyi, Burma's ambassador to India from 1960, widow of Burmese nationalist General Aung San.
His son Niranjan is married to Margaret Alva, née Margaret Nazareth who was served as former General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, former Governor of Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Goa.[4]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Rajya Sabha Members Biographical Sketches 1952 – 2003 :A" (PDF). Rajya Sabha website.
- ↑ Lobo, Michael (2000). Distinguished Mangalorean Catholics, 1800–2000: a historico-biographical survey of the Mangalorean Catholic community. Camelot Publishers. p. 111. ISBN 978-81-87609-01-8.
- ↑ A stamp in memory of Joachim and Violet Alva Rediff.com, 20 November 2008.
- ↑ "Smt. Margaret Alva,: Bio-sketch". Parliament of India website.