Prominent Figures of the Kerala Church- 119
Adv. Joseph Jacob Kainadi
Joseph Jacob Kainadi, also known as Kainadi Kariyaachan, is a significant figure in the history of Malabar immigration. He played a crucial role in protecting early Malabar settlers from the exploitation of native landlords. Kainadi Kariyaachan was born into a family in Kainadivattaparamba in the Kuttanadu region. (Details about him can be found on page 203 of “Kerala Sabha Ratnangal Part 2.”) Adv. Joseph Jacob, the first son of Kainadi Kariyaachan, left a profound impact on Kerala’s social, cultural, and communal landscapes. His mother’s name was Thresiamma, and he was born on September 8, 1930. After completing his law degree from Madras Law College in 1952, he enrolled as an advocate in the Madras High Court and began practicing in Kozhikode in 1955. In 1963, he established the first law firm in Kozhikode. He also practiced at the Kerala High Court. In 1973, he was elected president of the Calicut Bar Association.
In 1973, at a lawyers’ conference in Thalassery, Adv. Joseph Jacob proposed the need for a unified organization of advocates in Kerala. As the president of the Calicut Bar Association, one of the most prominent bar associations in Malabar, he was tasked with leading this initiative. He visited all the bar associations in Kerala, and with the support of around 500 delegates from 50 prominent bar associations, he organized the first Kerala State Lawyers’ Conference in Kozhikode. During this conference, the Kerala Bar Federation was established, and Adv. Joseph Jacob was elected its founding president. Under his leadership, the Kerala Bar Federation celebrated its silver jubilee in 2000 in Kozhikode.
Joseph was the founding president of the Rotary Club in Kozhikode and was elected governor of Rotary District 3200. In recognition of his exceptional service as a district governor, he was invited to the Rotary International Convention held in Kansas, USA. There, he was awarded the prestigious International Presidential Award, the highest honor given to outstanding Rotary workers worldwide.
Adv. Joseph Jacob has been associated with various socio-cultural and educational organizations in Kozhikode. He served as a member of the University Syndicate, a faculty member, and a member of the committee formed to guide legal studies. He was also president of the Calicut Fine Arts Society, Calicut Cosmopolitan Club, and several other institutions. He served as the founding secretary of the Calicut Agro-Forestry Society and the Calicut Cooperative Hospital. As a representative of large estate owners, he was a member of the Rubber Board for six years. He has also served as chairman of the Malabar Rubber Growers Association and as a founding executive committee member of the Indian Chamber of Agricultural Enterprises based in New Delhi.
Joseph served as the legal advisor for several Catholic institutions in the dioceses of Kozhikode and Thamarassery. He is also a member of the pastoral council of the Thamarassery diocese, where he has worked since its inception. He is involved in the administration and finance councils of the diocese. In Thamarassery, he established the J.J. and S.S. Charitable Trust, which runs a home for the elderly, a free medical clinic, a play school for poor children, and a community development center. The administration of these activities is entrusted to the Franciscan Clarist Congregation.
Adv. Joseph’s wife, Annamma, is also a public worker. She has served as the president of the Calicut Y.W.C.A., president of Calicut East Inner Wheel, and president of the Mother Organization. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on September 19, 2004.
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