Jegath Gaspar Raj

Jegath Gaspar Raj (also known as Gaspar Raj Maria Paulian) is a Catholic priest based in Chennai, India. He is the founder of the cultural organization Tamil Maiyam and co-creator of the annual Chennai Sangamam festival. From 1995 to 2001, he served as the director of the Tamil service for Radio Veritas.

Dr. Rev. Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj
Born	22 January 1966 Kanjampuram, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu
Nationality	Indian
Citizenship	Indian
Occupation	Catholic Priest
Employer	Diocese of Kuzhithurai
Known for	Tamil Maiyam, Chennai Sangamam, CTACIS(Tamilar thozhil varthaga perumandram)
Religion	Christianity

Gaspar Raj is also known for organizing the Idea-GiveLife Chennai International Marathon, and he established Naller Publications, a Tamil-focused book publishing company.^[1]

In 2009, during the final phase of Eelam War IV, Gaspar Raj reportedly played the role of an intermediary between the LTTE and the Government of Tamil Nadu.^[2]

He has also contributed to Tamil cultural promotion through musical and literary projects, including collaborations on works like Thiruvasagam with composer Ilaiyaraaja.^[3]

Gaspar Raj also founded the Confederation of Tamil Agriculture, Commerce, Industry and Services (CTACIS), known in Tamil as Thamizhar Thozhil Varthaga Vivasaya Perumandram. The organization brings together Tamil-speaking business professionals who meet regularly to collaborate and enhance their respective enterprises.

Education

• M.A. in Political Science from Madurai Kamaraj University.
• B.A. in History from the University of Madras.
• B.A. in Philosophy from Urbaniana University, Rome, Italy.
• B.A. in Theology from Sacred Heart College]], Poonamallee, Chennai.
• Completed 8 months of a Master's program in Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Madras.
• Completed schooling at Carmel Higher Secondary School, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu.

Accomplishments

• Served Radio Veritas Asia –Manila, Philippines from 1995 to 2001 as director of the Tamil department, became internationally known as an accomplished broadcaster, humanitarian and human rights activist and won several awards. I prefer to sub-list some of the major accomplishments in this period.
• Wrote, edited and read more than 1000 world news bulletins, 200 analysis programs, 250 magazine programs.
• Organized and conducted several Symposiums on media and participated in many.
• Founded Tamil Maiyam in 2002, to promote arts, culture and scholarly research in Tamil. The first project of Tamil Maiyam is the historic Thiruvasakam in Symphony by Maestro Ilaiyaraaja. More than 250 artists and technicians from Hungary, USA and India were involved in the project and I coordinated everything pertaining to the project from fundraising to the extremely challenging logistics.
• Co-created Chennai Sangamam. The biggest Open Festival of India.
• Co-created Project “Give Life” in 2007 along with Akhila Srinivasan, MD-Shriram Life Insurance, which so far has supported the education of 47000 underprivileged children.
• Envisioned the Re-Green Chennai and Palmyra Nation initiatives.
• Founded Confederation of Tamil Agriculture Commerce Industry and Services- CTACIS which is today an inclusive platform of more than 500 small- medium entrepreneurs.
• Founded The Rise- a Global Organization of Tamil Entrepreneurs and Professionals.

Ideals

Fr. Jegath Gaspar Raj is a staunch believer in democracy, equity, gender justice and environmental peace. He fiercely resists ideologies and politics of hate and exclusion. He considers fearless voice as a crucial instrument of fairness and justice.