Few have been aware of their own ignorance, and done so much about it, as Shrikant Jichkar.
Born into the Maratha caste of Indians in 1954, Jichkar was raised by a family of wealthy farmers in the scenic city of Katol.
At the age of 19, he undertook his first university exam to become a doctor. Long had work in the profession been a dream of his, but it wasn’t long after that he realised there were many other subjects in which he was interested in, but knew very little about.
He returned to study his law degree, a post-graduate course in International Law, his Masters in Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Journalism, all while leading the Nagpur University’s student council.
Every summer and winter between 1973 and 1990, Jichkar sat university examinations, the majority of which he completed as the top student. Other subjects which he studied included public administration, sociology, economics, history, English literature, philosophy, political science, and Sanskrit, for the latter of which he received a Doctor of Literature.
In 1978 he wrote the Indian Police Service entrance exam, passed it, and subsequently resigned to commence the prestigious and highly competitive Indian Administrative Services exam in 1980. After four months he resigned from the IAS in order to contest the general election.
At only 25, Jichkar was elected to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA), the lower house of the state in which he lived. The MLA had a sordid reputation – in 2014, 165 of the 288 elected members faced serious criminal charges including murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women. However, in the face of such corruption, Jichkar never faulted, and was seen by citizens as one of their most outstanding leaders.
His knowledge and courage were also respected within the government, where he eventually held 14 different portfolios simultaneously, before becoming an elected member of central parliament in 1992.
For the next six years, he played an integral part in defining India’s future. He served on key committees for topics including finance, patents, taxation reform, irrigation and transport, and was solely in charge of establishing the Sanskrit University in Maharashtra, where he served as Chancellor.
For all his academic and political pursuits, Jichkar was an artist at heart. He loved painting, photography, and even performed in plays.
In 1999, he lost the election, but used the opportunity to turn to wider endeavours. He travelled around India to speak about health, educational and religious matters, while also leading Indian delegations on such forums as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisations (UNESCO).
The following year, Jichkar was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer located in his adrenal glands. After a long treatment process, he recovered.
But fate would not long forget him.
On the 2nd of June, 2004, Jichkar was driving a friend home from his farm when an oncoming bus slammed into their vehicle. He succumbed to his injuries later that night, at only 49.
Shrikant Jichkar is today remembered as the most qualified man in Indian history, and the most qualified politician, living or dead, in the world. He had written 42 university exams of his life, and held 20 post-graduate degrees.
He left behind his wife, two children, and a library filled with over 52,000 books, one of the largest collections of its kind.
Jichkar was never content in his pursuit of knowledge. With such a life cut short, we can only imagine what else of value he had left to offer, but one thing is for sure: he is an inspiration to those of us who will always strive to be better.