Col Ramrao Dhondi Nikam was born on 10 June 1921 to Havaldar Dhondi Patloji Nikam and Saubhagyawati Chandrabai. Havaldar Dhondi Patloji Nikam was in the 103rd MLI now the 1st Maratha LI (Jangi Paltan). He took part in World War I and was wounded in the battle of KUT-AL-AMARAH in 1917.When he got wounded, he was the Battalion Havaldar Major.

Col RD Nikam studied in King George’s Royal Indian Military College (KGRIMC), Ajmer. After his 10th standard, he, decided to join the army and keep the family tradition alive. He joined 1st Maratha LI (Jangi Paltan) in 1938 as a third generation soldier and joined his unit in the North West Frontier region. On commencement of World War II, his unit moved to Africa. He was selected to join the Indian Military Academy in 1942 and was to report at Cairo for onward despatch to India. But he preferred to be with the unit rather than wait at Cairo. However, his unit got sucked into the war, with the launch of the Summer Offensive by the enemy. Thus, he could not move to Cairo due to the war, missed the opportunity of joining the Academy with his fellow soldiers - some of whom were his classmates from KGRIMC.  He thereafter moved with his Unit across the globe in various theatres of war. He served in Africa and Europe in The War and was also posted as part of the Occupation Forces in Japan after Japan surrendered. Whilst in Japan, he got the opportunity to escort the surrendered Japanese Generals who were deported to Australia.

In 1948 Col Ramrao took part in the liberation of Junagadh state now in Gujarat.In 1948, on commissioning, Col Ramrao was posted to 3 Maratha (2 Para) now 2Para SF. He took part in the 1948 Indo Pak war and captured "Khamba Fort” in Naushera Sector on 10th July 1948. On promotion to Capt, he served as ADC to Maj Gen Atma Singh, GOC 26 Div., then known as Jammu Div. He survived a road accident while travelling along with the GOC near Nandini tunnel between Nagrota and Udampur when the jeep in which they were travelling met with a freak accident in which unfortunately the GOC passed away.

Col Ramrao thereafter served in 4 Border Scouts, 9 Grenadiers,8 Assam Rifles, Assam Rifles Trg Center at Missamari (where he received His Holiness Dalai Lama, his mother & sister along with the Tibetan Cabinet while they were escaping from Tibet), 11 Mahar (on raising), The Mahar Regiment Training Centre Saugor, Commandant Western Sector Press Camp during the 1971 Indo Pak War, Commandant 40 POW Camp at Meerut & retired from 4 M P Bn NCC Bn Bhopal.

Post retirement,he set up the Maharashtra Maji Sainik Va Pensioner`s Sanghatana (an NGO) in May 1978.The aim of the Sanghatana was Welfare of the Veterans,war widows and their dependents.

The other feathers in his Cap are :-

1. a) Starting CSD canteen facilities at Satara a non military station and later on at Kavathe Mahankal in Sangli district,Mahad in Raigad district and then Chiplun in Ratnagiri district.
2. b) Started the first and only Co-operative Bank,started by veterans as-Sainik Sahakari Bank Ltd on 23rd Jan 1985.This Bank is now known as "COL RD NIKAM SAINIK SAHAKARI BANK LTD
3. c) The Sanghatana was at the forefront of the campaign for ONE RANK ONE PENSION under the leadership of Lt. Col Inderjit Singh, Chairman All India Ex-services Welfare Association New Delhi. Late Col RD Nikam and Lt. Col Inderjit Singh were members of the High Level Empowered Committee, which was instituted by the Govt. of India in 1990 to review the demand for One Rank One Pension. The agitation culminated with the grant of ONE TIME INCREASE. Now the Government has sanctioned
4. d) Waiver of 33 years conditionality of service for pension. We had made a representation to the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Parliamentary Committee on Defence and the Chiefs of Staff Committee for waiver of 33 years service conditionality for getting the full pension. The Government has sanction

He also served as Member of the Legislative Council in Maharashtra and as a   Member of the High level Empowered Committee to implement One Rank One Pension, under the Govt. of India.  He devoted rest of his life for the welfare and in service of the Veterans and widows of the Defence Forces.He leaves behind his three sons Brig. Mohan Nikam, Capt. Udaji Nikam & Col. Sayaji Nikam. He passed away peacefully on 25 March 2002 taking a promise from his son Capt. Udaji Nikam, to continue this service to the society.