ASIAN STAR – Er. ASHWANI JOSHI

Native Village/Country parent’s background

Hailing from Indian District Shahid Bhagat Singh Nagar in Punjab, at Nawanshahr, Ashwani Joshi was born into middle class family. He is son of a Teacher (who was also renowned Socio – Religious personality in Nawanshahr Area) and Grandson of a British Era Army Soldier.

Living down to Earth, Ashwani Joshi is fearless speaker against any erratic system in the civil society or the Govt.

Early Education

He did schooling from Punjab School Board and studied at Govt College Ropar/ Khalsa College Amritsar before taking off to join Four Year Electrical Engineering study in1979.

Career advancement initiatives, volunteer work and present occupation

In Indian defense services, assessed with remarks as ‘Will to do; never say die attitude’. 

Achievements in brief:

Joshi topped All India Entrance Examination for Indian Navy and joined 4-year Engineering course at Naval Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineering INS Valsura in Gujarat. 

Passed out with ‘Best all round Award’ winning of coveted Admiral Ram Nath Trophy, Won Best All Round Leader Award in Indian Navy ;  Served at various  capacities from Specialist to Chief–in-Charge to Management, with varying responsibilities on modern Warships, Ships‘ commissioning  teams, in Fleet maintenance (planning of multi- discipline engineering function for various  warships), in Weapons Acceptance Trials Teams, and left after serving for Chief Administrator of Naval Areas (operational management of technical services of 35 multistory/1100 flats in Mumbai ), holding various appointments with vast varying degree of  responsibilities including maintenance / operations / production / controls / planning / management and active liaison  with Naval Dockyards, Store Organizations, Military Engineering Services, Civil contractors and Specialists etc. Throughout remained rated professionally Superior and Character Very Good.

He had been an outstanding Naval Technical Specialist, Senior Electrical Engineer in Parle Mumbai, Merchant Navy Officer with MNCs, State Convener for statewide educational agitation to save & improve schools in Punjab, State convener of ‘Punjab Bachao Sanjha Front’ and State Convener of Plot Holders, Dealers & Colonizers Asso. Punjab; a non-political front fighting for the justice to common public/masses in Punjab against unjustified tax regime and corrupt systems; now Social activist/reformer, Environmentalist, Social crusader, throughout honest, meticulous, full of initiative, well learned & travelled around the world, continues to serve voluntary in general for uplift of society and fight against political corruption and pollution.

Political:  Despite being in apolitical Social service for years turned full timer into AAP philosophy (that to him proved to be a deception in fact), had campaigned for Lok Sabha Elections in Punjab for Anandpur Sahib Constituency, Patiala Constituency; especially at Nawanshahr Area in big challenging way to leading situation (Wide   Press records stands as to how he built up wave and changed silent vote to open vote). He was Short listed for MP candidature for Anandpur Sabha seat that too on merit but politics had it’s different say.  Stood shoulder to shoulder with Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi, led independent open campaign for AAP for Lok Sabha election at own efforts. Campaigned in Delhi Vidhan Sabha Elections in Greater Kailash Area contested by Saurav Bhardwaj. He left AAP in 2016 after realizing that Kejriwal has failed to keep the promises he made to Indian Public.

Sports: Hockey & Boxing while in Indian Navy. Rock Climbing thru’ Gujrat State Mountaineering Institute.

Outstanding Social Activities and achievements in brief: 

*In active defence services in 1993, undeterred for rights & crusaded against the British time acts being used for Indian Naval personnel denying them pension and finally while being in uniform in 1994 fought in Supreme Court against defence ministry/ central Govt & won securing pensions to thousands of Navy men / widows. 

* In 1995 led & won a case in High Court Mumbai against Indian Ministry of Transport, to seek justice to thousands of Indian defense personnel who were denied job opportunities in Merchant Navy.

* 2013 filed exemplary case challenging the Punjab Govt’s notification affecting the masses on the name regularizing the colonies, to seek justice to allow ownership plots without NOC. Won the case on 23 Apr 2014, CWP 22197/2013. Struggle continued and finally compelled Punjab Govt to wave off NOC hurdle in Feb 2015.

*First Founder of Go Green International Organization, successfully engaged in environment protection by encouraging masses to save and plant trees voluntary worldwide. Presently, Global President (GGIO)

*Founder of International My Tree Day (the first ever international day given by India thru any NGO, celebrated in July on last Sunday) 

*Remained Financial Supporter 1995 – 2010 (15 years) from self-savings to educational Trust NIEVT (Noble Institute of Education and Vocational Training) to support better education at affordable cost to poor and middle classes until right to education came in.

*Publishing /Editing Hindi Magazine (Awareness about life events and Environment) named ‘Jiwan Kranti Times’ – Since October 18, 2006.

In 2006 led mass Educational Agitation to save and improve small schools in Punjab while held various conferences and compelled the Govt successfully to improve the system. 

 Gone on Hunger Strike in Oct 2013 against Govt’s heavy tax regime and corruption in Punjab; have filed symbolic case against Govt notification requiring NOC before selling plot/house by plot holder vide CWP 22197/2013 & won on 23rd April 2014. Led various public demonstration state wide. 

Motivating people for political system change from Party System to People System.

Won PIL CWP-18310-2014 on 05.09.2014, “What may bring cheers to the environmentalist all over India, the division bench comprising of  Hon’ble acting Chief Justice Mr. Asutosh Mohunta and Hon’ble Mr Justice Harinder Singh Sidhu in the High Court of Punjab And Haryana at Chandigarh while disposing off the  CWP-18310-2014 on 05.09.2014 ordered to expeditiously implement the suggestion put forth by Ashwani Kumar Joshi, a Merchant Navy Officer turned Environmentalist & social crusader, to relocate the trees instead of mindless cutting on the name of development. 

Regret in Life

Humorously he regrets that he could not learn speaking lies, corrupt practices and deceiving the people, hence missed to rise in political system despite all-round best leadership qualities to serve the society!

One of the Best Achievements

Leading the Environment Awareness Campaigns bringing high awareness about need of volunteer tree plantation and tree care.

Authoring of my dream book… Primarjit Ikigai based on his learning through Global Tours in life, that aims at being Life Changer to live Longer and Happier Life.

Comments on Modern Culture

According to Mr Joshi, Nature demands change, hence the culture. Yesterday’s Practice is today’s Culture and so is practice today to become culture tomorrow which is often called Modern culture!

What Brought Him Success in life?

Joshi thinks its sincerity in his work and focus on target.

Will he help Upcoming Professionals and How?

Boldly says Joshi “Yes, with motivational methods”.

Message for Canadians of Asian Origin

Forming nearly 21 percent of the Canadian Population, interestingly Asians in Canada, can be termed as Oxygen level of the Canada Environment! 

Joshi winds up saying, “They have history since year 1700. They have the bright future and responsibility to build the future of Canada indeed. Please restrain hatred and shun Hindu-Sikh community divide.