Mr. Girish Wankhede is known as a man who dons mutiple hats at the same time. He is an eminent media and entertainment personality, a writer, columnist who writes on many relevant issues, a philanthropist who is relentlessly working for the upliftment of the society and the founder and CEO of short video app Jai Bhim which is the new sensation among the youth of the country.
Now, the multi-faceted and multi-talented Mr. Girish Wankhede has added one more feather in his cap. He is one of the five achievers who were conferred with the ‘Jeevan Gaurav Puruskar’ on 22nd April, 2023. The felicitation function was organised by ONGC India to commemorate the 132nd birth anniversary of one of the greatest humanist Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The glittering function was attended by many dignitaries which was held at the ONGC Auditorium in Bandra (East), Mumbai.
Mr. Girish Wankhede was felicitated by two great personalities whom he respects the most. One of them was Padmashree awardee, noted economist and educationist Mr. Sukhdev Thorat who has been instrumental in making short video Jai Bheem app household name across the country. He is also one of the towering figures in the field of social work and holds immense respect for his valuable contributions towards the society. The other personality who felicitated Mr. Girish Wankhede was filmmaker Mr. Jabbar Patel who needs no introduction as his films based on social awakening and relevant subjects speaks for himself.
Mr. Girish Wankhede was felicitated by ONGC not for his contribution in the field of Media and Entertainment but also for his social work, his helping of marginalised students to get proper education and his effort to popularise short video app Jai Bhim was also recognised and praised at the felicitation function. Other awardees included Mr. Sitaram Gaikwad (education), Mr. Baban Rao Kamble (posthumously-print media), Mr. Bapuji Ramteke (social service), Mr. Shivaji Parudekar (art of making statues) and others. It is needless to say that Mr. Girish Wankhede was ecstatic after receiving the award which he considers as a huge honour bestowed upon him.
Mr. Jagesh Somkunwar, General Manager and Chairman and Working President of CWC-ONGC said, “It was our honour to felicitate Mr. Girish Wankhede who has been relentlessly working for the underprivileged people and for the betterment of the society. Not only that, he recently launched short video app Jai Bheem to connect large numbers of youth in the country. It is just not another entertainment app but an app with social cause through which he is able to spread the valuable message of Dr. BR Ambedkar. He is also known for his great work in various types of media. His repertoire of work speaks for himself and hence we have chosen him for this award for which we are immensely proud off.”
Overwhelmed by the felicitation by ONGC India, Mr. Girish Wankhede said, “It’s an absolute honour to be felicitated by such a prestigious institution which has been serving the nation since 7 decades. Being felicitated and sharing stage along with Padmashree Sukhdev Thorat and most prolific filmmaker of our country known as Mr. Jabbar Patel, has given me big motivation to work harder for the upliftment of the society.”
Girish Wankhede, Founder and CEO of short video app Jai Bheem, has been instrumental in popularising it among the youth of the country in a very short span of time. The app was started not only for entertainment purposes but which is meant to educate people about social equality and propagate the values laid down by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Last year, the app conducted a contest and took four winning students to Dubai to felicitate them and provided them with the adequate international exposure. Being a philanthropist he has been relentlessly working for the marginalized people of the society. Last year, he had been instrumental in organising 132nd Birth Anniversary related celebrations of Dr. BR Ambedkar at Jamboree Maidan in Worli, Mumbai where thousands of people garhered to celebrate the idea of India propagated by Dr. BR. Ambedkar.
Girish Wankhede is also currently the manager of the India-China Film Society who has been in favour of India-China co-productions. He also attended Beijing International Film Festival and Golden Booster Film Festival in China. He has immense expertise in Indo-China film related business. Mr. Girish Wankhede is also known as the cultural head of Indo-African Chamber of Commerce and Industries who is continuously looking to increase business opportunities among India and the continent of 52 African countries.
Notably, Girish Wankhede has worked in the Entertainment industry for more than two decades. He headed Cinemax-PVR as a marketing head for more than a decade and for the last 7 years he has been running his own company called Entity 1 – Entertainment Solutions Private Limited. He is also into marketing Hindi, English and Marathi films on a regular basis. He is also known as a trade analyst and prolific film critic and writes for various newspapers and magazines. He also owns a digital news channel called Hunch Media which has a huge social media presence. Not only this, Girish Wankhede is also one of the most sought after speakers who is regularly invited on various platforms to express his views. He also teaches journalism students as a part time lecturer for the post graduation course in Mithibai college.
Mr. Girish Wankhede says, “Everything I do is what I am in real life and I will continue to serve people in various capacities. Every award reminds me that I need to work harder to serve the people of the country.”
Mr Girish Wankhede Receives Prestigious JEEVAN GAURAV PURASKAR From Ongc India