Citation – Baiju Patil, Aurangabad I am Vinod Patil, fondly known as Baiju, and for the past three decades I have dedicated my life to exploring forests, documenting wildlife, and using my camera as a tool for conservation. Nature has always been my true home—the call of birds, the silence of the jungle, and the raw beauty of wild landscapes fuel my passion every day. My journey has been blessed with many honours. I am the only photographer to have won the Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photographer of the Year title three times. In 2018, I received the DJ Memorial International Award, and my tiger photographs were later exhibited at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Representing India at the FIAP World Cup in Serbia (2017) and winning the Gold Medal was one of my proudest moments. In 2015, the UK recognised me as the International Garden Photographer of the Year. To date, I have received more than 32 national and international awards, including recognition from National Geographic, Europe, the UK, and Australia. In 2010, I published my coffee-table book “Wildscapes”, which was launched by the Governor of Maharashtra in the presence of Shri Mukesh Ambani. Beyond awards, I take pride in mentoring young photographers, training them not just in technique but also in developing an eye for conservation. Since 2019, I have been running graduate and degree programs in photography at MGM University, Aurangabad, to nurture the next generation. Whether in the forest with my camera, on the field as a former Kho-Kho captain of Maharashtra, or guiding students in a classroom, my mission remains the same: to celebrate the beauty of India’s biodiversity and inspire others to protect it for the future. National Achievements • 2012 Sanctuary Wild Maharashtra Title winner • 2012 Sanctuary Wild Maharashtra Joint third prize • 2013 1st Yes Bank Saevus National Capital Awards Title winner • 2016 India Photography Awards Certificate of merit • 2017 Better Photography Photographer of the year Certificate of merit • 2019 Nature in Focus Photography Award Second Runner Up • 2019 Nature Infocus Photography Award Special mention • 2020 Nominated NIKON Influencer State Achievements • 2010 Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Nominee • 2011 YogandharPuraskar, Aurangabad • 2013 Environment Forum of India, Baramati Vasundhara Purskar • 2017 Rotary Club of Aurangabad • 2018 My FM Food and Lifestyle Award for Excellence in Photography International Achievements • 2010, Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photographer of the year • 2011 Title winner, Better Photography Photographer of the year • 2012, Pablo Picasso International Award Title winner • 2013, The 7th Emirates Photography Contest Certification • 2013, NWF Wildlife Photography Award Second Prize • 2014, Big Picture Award Honorable mention • 2015, 17th FIP World Cup Bronze medal • 2016, Black and White Spider Awards • 2017, 18th FIAP World Cup, Serbia Gold medal • 2018, DJ Memorial Photography Award Title winner • 2018, Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Photographer of the year Title winner • 2019, Exhibition of Tiger photographs at Royal Albert Hall, London • 2019 Fine Art Photography Awards 5th Edition Nominee, London (Baywatch) • 2019 Fine Art Photography Awards 5th Edition Nominee, London (ray of light) • 2019 Fine Art Photography Awards 5 Edition Nominee, London (No place to Seat) • 2019 International Photography Awards first prize Australia • 2020, Featured in National Geography's Talentown Outstanding Photographers • 2020 Nikon India Agreement • 2022 Neutral Density Photography Awards, London. • 2022 Runner-up at Chromatic Awards International Color Photography Contest, England. • 2022 Monochrome Photography Awards Honourable Mention, London. (Professional wildlife category) • 2022 ND Photography Award Honourable Mention, London. (Wildlife category) • 2023 Monochrome Photography Awards Third Prize, London. • 2023 Monovision Photography Awards 2nd prize, London. • 2023 Monovision Photography Awards Honourable Mention, London • 2023 Fine Arts Photography Awards, London. • 2023 Runner-up at Monovisions Black & White Photography Awards, UK. • 2023 Annual Photography Awards Third Prize Winner, London (Hunting Skills) • 2023 Chromatic Awards 2nd Prize in wildlife category, Europe • 2024 First Prize Concurs Photo International (Paris)