September 14, 1954 – June 2, 2004
Born in a family of farmers in Maharashtra, Dr. Shrikant Jichkar was as down to earth as were his roots. In spite of limited resources of those times, he had a huge interest for education and knowledge and kept on taking challenges in education. As a result of his hardworking and consistent educational pursuits, he achieved great heights in academics. His name features in the Limca book of records for being the most educated man in India and most of his degrees were with high merit.
Let’s see what his academic achievements were :
- Medical Doctor (MBBS) and then MD too.
- Law (LL.B.) with Post-graduation in International Law (LL.M.)
- Masters in Business Administration (DBM and MBA)
- Master’s in Journalism (B. Journ)
He earned his Masters degrees in these ten subjects.
- M.A. (Public Administration)
- M.A. (Sociology)
- M.A. (Economics)
- M.A. (Sanskrit)
- M.A. (History)
- M.A.(English Literature)
- M.A. (Philosophy)
- M.A. (Political Science)
- M.A. (Ancient Indian History,Culture and Archaeology)
- M.A (Psychology).
- D. Lit (Doctor of Letters) in Sanskrit , the highest of any Degree in a University.
He also achieved \”28\” Gold Medals between 1973 and 1990 and he has written \”42\” University Examinations each every summer and every winter.
After his completion of Medicine as a Doctor and then MD, His unsatiated hunger for knowledge didn’t stop at this. A sharp mind as his was never satisfied with these many achievements. He later went on to test his capabilities in Indian Civil Services, the toughest exam in the world. In 1978 , he wrote the Civil services, got through IPS (Indian Police Service) examination and finished the course but later resigned and in 1980, wrote the IAS (Indian Administrative Services) examination, cleared this course too, but resigned only after four months of service as he didn’t feel satisfied.
He then aimed at politics and went on to become the youngest M.L.A in the country at age of 25, when he won his first election in 1980 to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. He became a powerful government Minister holding 14 portfolios at a time in the state, and is considered as one of the founding pillars of Maharashtra’s strong economy. All his educational exams in masters for different subjects were being written at the same time of his political carrer. He also served as a Member of RajyaSabha from 1992–98.
He was on important committees of the state and central government, including the Parliamentary Standing committee on Finance, the Patents Committee, the Planning Board, the Resources Mobilization Committee, the Taxation Reforms Committee and the High Power Committee on Irrigation and Transport.
A genius, a problem solver, an accomplished and successful in so many varied fields. Even with so many feathers in his many hats, he is still remembered as a simple, warm hearted, welcoming and a friend of friends in his circles.
The only word that best suits his persona is LEGEND. Clearly when somebody he is a genius as Einstein, it is no less !
by Prasoon.
