Mr. Ashish Kulkarni, CEO of Reliance Animation & Reliance AIMS has been honored with an Honorary Doctorate in Business Management for his dedicated work in the field of Animation and also for his effort to build an ecosystem for the animation, gaming, visual effects and comics (AVGC) sector in India, placing India on the global map. Open International University of Complementary Medicines, Colombo, conferred him this honorary Doctorate at its 51st Honorary Doctorate Convocation Function in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the 25th of June 2013. This honorary doctorate is awarded to selected achievers from across the globe who have excelled and performed exceptionally well in their fields such as education, medicine, industry, religion, art & literature,  astrology, vastu science, social service, architecture and construction etc.

Ashish SK has pioneered the cause of creating successful original Indian IPs like the feature film Krishna aur Kans, animated TV series such as Little Krishna and Shaktimaan, BIG Bees and the award winning short film The Bad Egg etc. The focus point of Ashish SKs work and effort is to bring  traditional artists to mainstream animation and reviving old Indian art and folk forms through the new era digital content delivery formats.

On this momentous occasion, Ashish SK would like to convey his thanks to the  stakeholders, investors, artists, technicians, AVGC leadership, education providers, overseas studios, industry bodies such as FICCI, MCCIA, NASCOM, ABAI, TASI, ASIFA & Animation Xpress, and supporters of the AVGC industry in its journey so far and mission to build India as an AVGC superpower. He sincerely appeals to the universities and educational institutions for recognizing the importance of artistic creative and performing arts streams and placing them at par with engineering, medical, chartered accountancy and legal streams.

Ashish SK, A true believer in creating original content, further explains how he deems the creators of Chotta BheemArjun, Delhi Safari, Sons of Rama, Keymon Ache, Motu Patlu, Pakdam Pakadi, Roll no.21, Toon Cricket, Ghatotkuch etc., in very high regard & congratulates them for building these character brands & icons out of India.

Presently, Ashish SK, under his capacity as co-chair of the FICCI Animation and Gaming forum and active council member of the Media and Entertainment Skills Council (MESC) formed by FICCI under the National Skills Development Council (NSDC) has guided the teams along with Ernest  & Young to build National Operating Standards (NOS) for the AVGC industry which are currently in the validation process. Ashish SK continues to strive towards establishing operating standards for each and every job function within the sub-sectors of the AVGC industry as he contemplates that it will help in placing India amongst the worlds best skills and media practices.