Advocate Natha M. Jadhav, born on April 5, 1944, in the small village of Chopadi, Taluka Patan, District Satara, Maharashtra, rose from humble beginnings to become a distinguished advocate and public notary. Born into a poor farming family, his early life was marked by hardship and persever[1]ance. His family was illiterate, and he was the first person in his village to attain a postgraduate degree. His educational journey began in his village, where he completed his prima[1]ry education up to the 7th standard. Determined to pursue further educa[1]tion, he walked five kilometers daily to attend Mane Deshmukh Vidhyalaya in Patan, where he studied until the 9th standard. For his 10th standard, he moved to Mumbai and enrolled in Hind Vidhyalaya High School, Girgaon, marking a significant turning point in his life. Despite financial difficulties, he was determined to continue his education. After completing his S.S.C., he began working as a clerk in a private compa[1]ny in Nagdevi, Mumbai, earning a modest salary of Rs. 100 per month. For three years, he juggled work and studies, eventually securing a better-pay[1]ing position as an “A” scale clerk at the Bombay Port Trust, Mumbai, with a monthly salary of Rs. 222.80. He worked there for 14 years, during which time he continued to pursue his education. He enrolled in Elephinstone College, Mumbai, where he attended morning classes while working full-time. His dedication paid off, and he earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and later a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Economics, with a specialization in Public Utility and Transport Economics. With an unwavering commitment to advancing his career, he pursued legal studies at the Government Law College, Mumbai, and earned his LL.B. in 1982. ‘To all his efforts and success his wife Mrs. Vatsala Natha Jadhav stood firmly behind him and contibuted to the great extent. Armed with his law degree, he made the bold decision to resign from his job at the Bombay Port Trust and embark on a career as an advo[1]cate. He initially practiced on the appellate side of the Bombay High Court for about six years before expanding his practice to various courts across Maharashtra. His legal expertise and dedication to justice led to his appointment as a Notary Public by the Government of Maharashtra in 1993, a role he has continued to fulfill with distinction. In 2023, Advocate Natha Jadhav received the prestigious “Soldier of the Constitution” award from the All India Federation of Advocates and Associations, New Delhi. Throughout his career, Advocate he has been a tireless social worker, offering free legal advice to the poor and downtrodden. His commitment to public service extends beyond his legal practice; he is also a trustee of the prestigious Maratha Mandir Public Trust in Mumbai. The trust runs nine high schools and junior colleges across Maharashtra, a full-fledged management college in Mumbai, and a charitable hospital in Vile Parle, Mumbai. He has also served as the Treasurer of Maratha Mandir for a period, further contributing to the trust’s mission of providing education and healthcare to those in need. At the age of 81, Advocate still continues to practice law and serve his community, embodying the principles of hard work, perseverance, and dedication that have defined his remarkable journey.

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