Shrikant Jichkar: Man with highest number of degree
Ever wondered as to how a single man can simultaneously be an IAS, IPS, Doctor, Lawyer, MBA, PhD, youngest MLA, Painter, Photographer and an actor, all in one lifetime? Here is what more you need to know about late Shrikant Jichkar.
Limca Book of World Record holder
Born into a Marathi family on September 14, 1954, based in Aajangaon near Nagpur, Shrikant was distinguished by the Limca Book of Records as the Most Qualified Indian ever!
Multiple Scholar
He was a scholar with interests in everything he heard of be it science, politics, theatre, sports, journalism, etc. you name it and Shrikant Jichkar has definitely nailed it!
Most qualified Indian ever
He started off with a degree in medical science- MBBS, followed by a post-graduation degree MS, but soon he dropped his career to venture out in the field of law.
Shrikant Jichkar’s degrees
Soon he got enrolled himself for LLB degree and later went on for LLM (International Law). It didn’t just stop here, Shrikant yet again signed up for Masters in Business Administration (DBM and MBA) and Journalism (B.Journ back then.)
Education and schooling
In between 1973- 1990, he sat down to write 42 University Examinations falling simultaneously each Summer and Winter, and got himself over 20 post-graduate degrees. And, it was all before he turned 24!
Honor of India
When he turned 25, in year 1978, Shrikant sat for the IPS (Indian Police Service) examination, nailed it, resigned later and started preparing for the prestigious IAS (Indian Administrative Services) examination.
Master of Masters!
Meanwhile, he got himself a Masters in Economics, English Literature, Sanskrit, Indian History, Public administration, Political Science, Sociology.
Receiver of highest of any degree ever
The list also included Masters in Philosophy, Culture & Archaeology, and Psychology; you wouldn’t be surprised to know he also has a D. Litt in Sanskrit to his name, the highest of any Degree in a University.
Shrikant Jichkar, the politician
After a successful attempt in 1980, Shrikant resigned from his duty in just four months to contest his first general election.
Youngest Indian politician ever
Later in the same year, got elected as MLA in the Maharashtra, becoming the youngest ever politician to hold 14 portfolios at a time.
Scholarly Jichkar
With so much passion and dedication for academics, it would not be a surprise, if I tell you that he owned one of the biggest personal libraries in India with over 52,000 books.
Non-academic pursuits
Apart from his passion in academics, Shrikant was an impeccable painter, a professional photographer, a theatre artist, and brilliant orator, who loved to speak on issues like health, economics, and other religious discourses.
His accomplishments…
He was also a member of Rajya Sabha in year s 1992-98. While most of his degrees are with First Merit, he obtained several Gold Medals too.
Accident and death
On June 2, 2004, while on his way to NH 6, 40kms from Nagpur, his car was rammed by a truck from the opposite direction, and he succumbed to his injuries later in the day; he was just 51.
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