Joe D'Cruz

R. N. Joe D’Cruz is a writer who chronicles the life of India’s coastal fishing communities, and a businessman in shipping and logistics. He was named for the Padma Shri in 2024 in the field of literature and education, from Tamil Nadu ^[1].

Son of the coast

He was born on 17 May 1963 into a traditional fishing family ^[2]. He studied economics at Loyola College, Chennai, and St Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli ^[2].

His first work was giving education and career guidance to young people in coastal villages, and over time he became a chronicler of coastal life ^[2]. He has worked with fishing communities of all backgrounds to raise their social, economic and political awareness ^[2].

Writer

D’Cruz writes columns in newspapers and magazines about the heritage and life of fishing people ^[2]. His novel Korkai won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2013, and he has also won awards for his documentaries ^[2].

Shipping

For 35 years he has worked in commercial shipping and logistics, and he heads a Chennai logistics firm ^[2]. He has promoted coastal shipping in peninsular India and argues for developing fishing and shipping together as a sustainable “blue economy” ^[2]. He has served on the National Shipping Board and the National Welfare Board for Seafarers, and founded the Bharatha Culture and Heritage Trust ^[2].