PR for peace? Yes, says Bhubaneshwar seminar

• Social media is the new PR tool, says East Coast Rly GM;

• PR can help check social strife, says PRCI National president

BHUBANESHWAR: Public Relations Council of India, Bhubaneswar Chapter has organsied a National Seminar on Public Relations-an effective tool for peace and progress, in association with the East Coast Railways on November 26,2016.

General Manager, East Coast Railway  Mr Umesh Singh inaugurated the seminar and the Chief Guest of the concluding session was Dr P.K. Mishra,  former Union Secretary, Coal. The Guests of Honour were Mr Ashok Kumar Bal, CEO, Indian Mining operations,EMIL, Aditya Birla Group and Mr R.N.Mahapatra,CPRO,Eastern Railway.

East Coast Railway General Manager Umesh Singh inaugurating
the seminar as PRCI national president B N Kumar and
Bhubaneshwar chapter Chairman Ashok Panda look on

In the inaugural session Mr Umesh Singh lauded the efforts of the PR professionals particularly in building the image of organisations and also their contribution during crisis.He stressed on the different PR activities of the Indian Railways and the massive use of social media to be in connect with the people..

PRCI National President B N Kumar said that PRCI has emerged today as one of the foremost platforms for PR professionals and has provided a forum where creative minds often come together to discuss professional challenges and uphold the values of  the PR fraternity. He cited different examples where PR was instrumental in bringing about a positive change in organisations. PR and right messaging could also come handy in tackling social strife, he said.

In his welcome address Dr Ashok Kumar Panda the Chapter Chairman said that no society or nation can progress unless there is peace and harmony. Here the  role of the PR professionals becomes all the more important as they can be a  source of inspiration and support in creating an environment which is conducive for growth and development he added.

Mr Dilip Bisoi the working chairman proposed the vote of thanks in the inaugural session.

The other two sessions were chaired by Mr J.P.Mishra,CPRO,East Coast Railway and PRCI National President Mr B.N.Kumar.

The speakers were Prof Mrinal Chatterjee,Head IIMC, Dhenkanal,Prof Padmalaya Mahapatra from Utkal University,Prof Gopa Bagchi and Prof. Sudhir Kumar from G.G Central University and Prof Jayanta Swain from Ravenshaw University,Prof Shiv Kumar Das from Birla Global University and Mr Anil Bhatt and Dharitri Satpathy from National Aluminium Company.

Other than Guests,Members there were 105 students from 4 universities and three institutes.

The programme was indeed a resounding success and the participants include academia, students and professionals from different corporate.

PRCI Bhubanshwar Chapter also brought out a souvenir with papers from PR professionals and academicians.