76-year-old retired professor jumps into poll fray

MADURAI: A 76-year-old retired professor has jumped into the poll bandwagon in Madurai as an independent candidate.

Undeterred by the money and muscle power of established political parties and unfazed by the rhetoric that more youth should enter politics, Maria Joseph Xavier (76) has filed his nomination papers at the Madurai collectorate to test political waters.

"I love my country. I can no longer tolerate my country going to the dogs," says the septuagenarian. This is the first election he is contesting. A native of Madurai, Maria Joseph Xavier is a popular name in the academic circles and has penned several books on English grammar and Tamil literature. An alumnus of American College, Joseph Xavier has worked as professor in English at Saraswathi Narayanan College and went to serve as principal at Matha College of Arts and Science in Manamadurai till 2003.

"I started writing poems in English and publish books even when I was in 20s. Though I studied mathematics, flair for English made me write poems," an enthusiastic Xavier says. His long list of books include a Guide to Education Psychology and Child Study, English translation of 'Mullai Pattu', a Sangam literature book on Tamil king Pari and an elegy on former chief minister C N Annadurai.

Xavier says that he has been involved in social welfare activities right from his 20s. "Not that that I am going to become a politician and rich. But I could no endure the happenings in the society," he says. He passionately argues for uprooting of 'karuvelam' trees that pose a threat to agriculture, caste evils, problems caused by liquor outlets and the need for interlinking rivers.

Xavier pretty well understands that it was David versus Goliath battle in the elections. "I want to create awareness. I am confident that there are people who will listen to me," he said. He has planned to tour the length and breadth of the constituency and canvass votes. "My family knows about me so they are always supportive," he says.

He is not the only independent who is taking on the powerful politicians in these elections. K K Ramesh, managing trustee of Centre for Public Interest Litigation, a private trust who has filed a number of PILs in the Madurai high court bench and transgender Bharathi Kannamma have also jumped into the fray.