Dr.Ramchandra Kashinath Shirodkar was born in 1890 in Shiroda, Dist. Sindhudurg. He had to forgo his education due to family constraints and went to Mumbai in search of employment. He again joined school and completed his matriculation. He obtained scholarship for further education first in Baroda and later in Fergusson College, Pune. He came back to Mumbai to join Elphinstone College for B.Sc. Dr.Shirodkar taught Physics in Kolhapur and was sent to England for higher studies by the head of the princely state of Kolhapur. He returned to India after obtaining a doctorate degree.
Dr Shirodkar wanted to help the people working in the textile mills in the Lalbaug-Parel area. He firmly believed that education alone can elevate these people from their low status. He established Kshatrakulotpanna Maratha Samaj in 1935 and laid the foundation for KMS Parel High School in 1939. He also started Parel Night High School and Shri Rameshwar High School in Mithbav, Sindhudurg.
Dr.Shirodkar actively participated in the freedom struggle. Spread of education gained importance in post-independence India and he was a true visionary in this sense. He had interest in education, politics, social work, reading, writing, music and sports. He passed away in 1948. It is our duty to carry forward the principles he followed and strive for the betterment of the society.
