A MODI SCHOLAR FOR THE MARATHAS

This Solapur man's interest in medieval Marathi has found favour with those who can't read old caste documents, Sudhir Suryawanshi narrates

- Sudhir Suryawanshi

VILAS Ashok Kothwade has become a star of sorts in the Solapur region of Maharashtra ever since the OBC quota movement spearheaded by activist Manoj Jarange Patil took roots.

However, Kothwade is not an activist involved in the movement. Instead, he has taken it upon himself to help Maratha youth get the benefit of educational and job quota.

Kothwade works as a peon at Vittalrao Shinde Junior and Senior College in Solapur district. His job entails looking after the college office, but he developed an interest in medieval Marathi, which was the official language of the Maratha empire. He showed an interest in learning to read and write in the Modi script, in which Marathi was written before Devanagari became popular. He attributes his interest in medieval Marathi to his father and grandfather. Kothwade says that the whole region is Marathi speaking, but in his village, or even in the nearby towns, one can count people on fingertips who can understand the Modi script.