No going back to paper ballot; EVMs are here to stay, asserts CEC Sunil Arora

• EC To focus on low voter turnout areas

JAIPUR:  Asserting that the EVMs are here to stay, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Sunil Arora has ruled out the possibility of going back to paper ballot in the country’s elections.

Dr K Ramnarayan, Chancellor, MUJ, and CEC Sunil Arora
in a tete-e-tete at the Conclave

Kick-starting the two-day 13^th Global Communication Conclave organized by Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) at Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) on February 15,  Arora referred to come complaints regarding malfunctioning of EVMs and said there were very few. There was not a single case of any criminal intent.

He likened the complaints against EVMs to the grouse expressed in a section in the 1960s against the Bhakra Nangal dam water that the flow was not good for agriculture as power was taken away from it due to the hydro project.

Referring to a social media campaign launched by PRCI - #StepOut2Vote – to create awareness about voting, Arora said the EC would also focus on mobilizing voters in low-turnout areas to go to the polling booths.

The election process has been flawless right from the days of the first general election and it has improved over the years, he pointed out.

The Conclave drew huge response with close to 500 delegates from across the country participating.

Various speakers dealt with the theme PR- What is the Big Idea and the unanimous conclusion was PR is a Big Idea!

Presiding over the inaugural, MUJ Chairman and Chancellor Dr K Ramnarayan said he was happy to such a major congregation at MUJ which always stood for sharing knowledge.

In his opening remarks, PRCI Chief Mentor and Chairman Emeritus M B Jayaram said the Council has come a long way from the day eminent journalist and fearless editor of Outlook magazine late Vinod Mehta had inaugurated it on March 3, 2004 at Bangalore with his truly inspiring thoughts on the importance of PR, particularly in difficult times for corporate and even politicians.

Jayaram welcoming Dr Pragnya Ram, flanked by
Himanshu Kapadia of Gracim

Apart from conducting global communication conclaves, felicitating achievers with the prestigious Chanakya awards and recognizing talent through PRCI Excellence awards, PRCI also hold knowledge forums and media seminars on issues of current interest, he said.

“Our PR Hall Fame is the only feature of its type in the profession where we induct senior professionals with excellent track record,”  Jayaram added.

Making a presentation on a host of novel projects launched by PRCI, its governing council chairman B N Kumar said the organisation has gone well beyond the pink-shirt, party-happy culture to emerge as a true communication exchange.

The unique social communication idea has caught the imagination of the media and it resulted in positive impact, be it the #SaveParsikHills or #IamMamngroveIamDying campaign which have won international awards.

Explaining the theme, Conclave Chairperson Vijay Lakshmi said: “An idea can not only can change but make a big impact on the society as such. Moreover, Communication or PR is all about ideas – ideas that work, impact our lives

Bangalore University VC Dr Venugopal, 13th Conclave
Chairperson Vijay Lakshmi and PRCI National Executive
president S Narendra concentrating on the proceedings

Asking whether communication professionals also need ideas to survive with globalization and ever rising competition, she said hackneyed or template solutions may not always work and one needs to think out of box and act on one’s toes.

Explaining the concept of PRCI Young Communicators Club, its Chairperson Geetha Shankar said YCC has established its presence in ten cities covering various mass communication institutions and universities.

“Only serious studies could be boring for the students. Hence, we consciously avoid much serious talk and have interesting contests and anecdote-based sessions sharing our experiences. Plus, the assignments and projects that we give keep them engaged. Thus we supplement and compliment the academic training that the students get in their classes,” she added.

Participating in a fireside chat with Kumar, Dr Pragnya Ram, Executive President – Corporate Communication and CSR, Aditya Birla Group, said ideas do matter in PR and one has to keep coming out with them to appeal to media.

Dr Ram said communication professionals ought to be assertive in telling their bosses as to what makes news and what not and keep reasonable expectations.

She pointed out that the mass communication institutions which are dime a dozen just churn out graduates without any substance. Some of the young communicators and journalists write appalling English and the reports get printed without any check.

Team Kerala led by T Vinay Kumar explained the initiative taken by them in meeting the crisis arising out of the Kerala flood fury. It was rather rare that PR professionals physically joined the rescue and rehabilitation, said session anchor Sanjay Rammoorthy, who is also the chairman of PRCI Mumbai chapter.

Talking about the growth of regional media, Bhuwanesh Jain, Deputy Editor of Rajasthan Patrika said Indian language newspapers have emerged as formidable platforms for communication. “That is a big idea to deal with,” he said.

Harsha Kumar Singh -
ideas do matter in TV journalism

NDTV special correspondent Harsha Kumari Singh said “in competitive TV journalism, we have to come out with innovative ways of reporting to remain ahead.” 

A panel discussion anchored by PRCI Governing Council director R T Kumar, saw interesting exchange of thoughts on “Is Social Media Humbug” by speakers Rashi Bammi,  Founder and CEO, Renaissance PR, Anindita Singh, Corpcom Head, L&T Metro, S P Paliwal, multi-faceted personality and Dr Saadullah Khan, MUJ.

Bakul Gala, vice-president of Corpcom at Wadia group, anchored a unique panel discussion on communication for agriculture.  Kamlesh Daga –Plasti Surge Industries, Sunitha Subramaniyan – TAFE and S.Narendra – ex PIO, stressed that communicators had a major role in improving the agriculture output as well as improving the lot of farmers. Media also should not neglect the sector on which over 60% of the nation depends and that contributes majorly to the GDP.

Dr Saadullah Khan of MUJ, C J Singh of Core PR Chandigarh, Dharan of PRCI Chennai took part in a session on communication education that was conducted by Geetha Shankar, YCC Chairperson. Their conclusion was that PRCI could form the channel to make education future relevant as well as industry focused.

Jitender Bhargava, Ex-Exec Director, Air India, Suman Das Sharma, Senior Partner, Ketchum Sampark, Vaishali Desai, Godrej Properties, Sandeep Agrawal, CEO, Think Energy, participated in a panel discussion on Ideas and PR. Shweta Rajpal Kohli, ex-NDTV news anchor, conducted the discussion and the panelists concluded that ideas do make PR relevant to changing social needs.

Team Kerala in panel discussion on Communication in Crisis

Veteran journalist H K Dua, MP, said in his special address that communication plays a major role in democracy, while Cyber Security expert Dr C B Sharma, IPS, said cyber criminals cannot go scot free as they can be caught even after decades. The technology that the cyber criminals use will help track them, he added.

Level-playing field for Girls, please!

#Shakti4Beti - a stage show at PRCI Bengaluru event in progress. Pix: DIVYA VENKAT POGARU

As PRCI celebrates Daughters’ Day to commemorate late Indo-US astronaut Kalpana Chawla, here are some random thoughts by M B JAYARAM, Chief Mentor and Chairman Emeritus of the national communicators body

Kalpana Chawla has been inspiration for many girls as she demonstrated to us as to how one reach the sky with hard work, determination and above all focused approach.

All that girls need proper opportunities and you see how they excel.

In this context, let me mention that PRCI has aptly chosen #Shakti4Beti as our focused theme to empower the girl child.

India is a society of contrasts and even contradictions.

On the one hand the society worships deities such as Durga as the symbol of Shakti or triumph of good over evil, and Lakshmi as the Goddess of Wealth, while on the other girls and women are still being subjected to ill-treatment.

Even in the 21^st century, and at a time when India is racing to emerge as an economic super power, it is really sad that women and girls are discriminated against. Gender disparity is still a major socio-economic issue.

Isn’t is a sad commentary on the society in general that we need to have women welfare departments and women rights commission as though they are some endangered species?

 I do not think that many right thinking women would crave for privileges and any special treatment – be it at home, school/college or even at work places.

Girls just want level playing field. PRCI also supports the same thought when wesays Shakti4beti.

Women always excelled if they are given freedom as men and not shackled with anti-women practices.

Apart from mythology, even history has innumerable examples of women doing wonders. Take the case of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, or for that matter freedom fighters such as Sarojini Naidu who were in the forefront of struggle against British tyranny. Kasturba worked silently with Mahatma Gandhi. In post -independent India too women have done as good as men and even better at times.

In education, sports, social service, politics, management, movies, corporate sector – you name it, you have women excelling.

Even at PRCI, we have many women working with their men that too without any inhibitions and issues! In fact, the Daughters Day event at Bengaluru was successfully led several women office-bearers.

But it is still sad that the ratio of women coming out into the open isn’t  very encouraging.

Majority of girls and women are still being relegated to domestic work and the kitchen.

But with increasing education and the society becoming liberal, things should improve and the girl child will get empowered.

I am of the strong opinion that the empowerment begins at home.

Mothers, more than anyone else, should unshackle themselves and treat their daughters on par with boys.

This thought has to be communicated well through various means of communication, including social and traditional media.

I know social media is a double edged sword. I am sure with proper use it will help us cut through the mindset against the girl child.

Shakti4beti will have achieved what it is meant for.

I sincerely hope that we will not have to celebrate daughters’ day specially. We shall work towards observing  a Skill Development or Talent Promotion Day, next year!

But to achieve this PRCI will have to do aggressive communication which I am sure our teams are capable of.

Finally, let me say: Shakti4Society – not mere for Beti!

Concept PR bags America’s PR World Gold for PRCI Campaign

• Agency’s ‘Mission Mumbai Local’ campaign wins PR Milestone Award

• Campaign on behalf of PRCI to focus on City suburban commuter issues

• PR World to honour PR Superstars at San Francisco on June 26

Absolute India Clipping

SAN FRANCISCO/MUMBAI: In a major international recognition, Concept Public Relations India Limited has been chosen for Gold award under the ‘PR Milestone of the Year’ category at the prestigious 7th Annual PR World Awards instituted by Silicon Valley Communications llc, USA.
The ‘SVUS PR World Awards’ are the world’s premier public relations awards programme, created to honour and generate industry-wide and peer recognition of the achievements and positive contributions of Public Relation agencies, organizations and individuals from all over the world.
“The Oscars are given annually for excellence in cinematic achievements. But at the PR World Awards it is you who will be recognized as superstars at a black-tie world event - complete with the red carpet, paparazzis, and live video interviews for every small and big thing that you and your team did in the past 18 months to make your clients successful,” says PR World. The gold plated trophies at the PR World Awards have been designed and made by the same company that makes the actual Oscar® and Emmy® statuette.

In the current season of the PR World awards, Concept PR’s Mission Mumbai Local campaign, a social communication drive conducted on behalf of the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI), has been adjudged for Gold under the PR Milestone of the Year category.
“We are pleased to inform you that Concept Public Relations India Limited is in the list of winners of 2017 PR World Awards,” said an email from the organizers listing the winners under various categories. Winners will be honored at the 2017 SVUS Red Carpet Awards Ceremony Dinner in San Francisco on Monday, June 26, 2017.

Acknowledging the award, Ashish Jalan, Director and CEO of Concept PR said: “Any form of recognition is both a testimonial of the abilities of the agency as well as a motivator for the agency to perform even better. A global award at that and the fact that we are the only Indian agency to figure in the list of winners is indeed a great honour. This recognition is a direct result of a team which has grown from strength to strengthand has a right balance of experience, expertise and enthusiasm. I would like to thank M B Jayaram for having faith in Team Concept to be their partner in this social communication campaign.”

B N Kumar, executive director of Concept PR who spearheaded the campaign said: “My team is extremely happy to get the good news. This latest win amply proves that teamwork plays a big role in achieving desired results in a communication campaign. We also thank all our media friends for highlighting the issues raised by us in the campaign – from the need to improve the frequency of suburban trains to new railway stations to meet increasing commuter pressure.”

“PRCI has launched the campaign to highlight the fact that over ten people die daily on Mumbai suburban tracks due to various reasons such as running across platforms and tracks and hanging by overcrowded trains. This has been admitted in an official report by the railways which we effectively used to design our messaging on the need to improve the suburban railway infrastructure,” said M B Jayaram, Chief Mentor and Chairman Emeritus of PRCI.

About the PR World Awards
PR World Awards® is the world’s premier public relations and corporate marketing awards programme created to honor and recognize industry-wide and peer achievements and best efforts of agencies and in-house public relations, marketing, corporate communications, investor relations, and business development professionals, teams, departments, and achievements. The Annual PR World Awards is part of the SVUS Awards® recognition program from Silicon Valley in the United States of America which also includes other programs such as CEO World Awards, Consumer World Awards, Customer Sales and Service World Awards, Golden Bridge Awards, Globee Fastest Growing Private Companies Awards, Info Security PG’s Global Excellence Awards, Network Products Guide’s IT World Awards, Pillar World Awards, and Women World Awards. Learn more about the PR World Awards at www.prworldawards.com

About Concept PR:
Concept Public Relations India Limited is part of India’s largest independent Communication network of Concept Group with ten of its own offices, scores of associates, with ability to conduct PR exercise across the 600 districts pan-India. With its motto  ‘Exceeding Expectations, Always’, the consultancy services clients across multiple verticals such as real estate and infrastructure, aviation, pharma and health care, IT & ITES,  large conglomerates, CSR, apart from handling crisis communication and media training. Concept PR has won more than ten awards and recognitions for its outstanding performance viz: Agency of the Year, Crisis Communication, Case Studies and its executive director B N Kumar has been inducted in the prestigious PR Hall of Fame.

Global Communication conclave to focus on Disruption

•         PRCI to hold the event in Bengaluru from March 3-5, 2017 
•                Top notch speakers being invited, about 500 delegates expected

BENGALURU: With focus on Disruption, premier communicators’ organisation Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) will hold its 11th Global Communication Conclave on March 3, 4 and 5, 2017 at Bengaluru.

PRCI, the pan-India platform of PR, Media, Advertising, HR professionals and academicians, expects over 500 delegates from  across these fields to participate in the interactive Conclave.

Mr M B Jayaram, Chairman Emeritus and Chief Mentor of PRCI, said: “Be it the media, communication, Politics, Economy, Science, Religion, Education, Energy, Health, relationships and even the way we think –disruption seems to be impacting our lives at every step. We hope the deliberations at the Conclave will lead to exchange of thoughts and clearing the air around disruption.”

“The theme is planned with a question mark – DISRUPTION? - to make the communication professionals think, ask themselves and, probably, come to a conclusion in this Manthan or the churning of thoughts,” said B N Kumar, PRCI National Executive president

“Yes, the three-day deliberations will see communication, media and tech professionals, corporate honchos and government officials and policy makers interacting and ideating on a wide gamut of aspects related to Disruption,” explained PRCI Governing Council Chairman R T Kumar.

“PRCI has successfully organised its previous Global Communication Conclaves at Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Chandigarh. Headquartered at Bengaluru, PRCI has its chapters pan-India. We began to spread its foot print globally by opening its first international chapter in UAE and several other global centres are in the pipeline,” he added.

PRCI encourages budding communication professionals through its YCC (Young Communicators Club) across various colleges teaching PR, journalism and advertising.

In fact, the third day of the Conclave will focus on the youth, Ms Geetha Shankar, YCC Chairperson, said. The theme for the session is: Are We Ready for The Future?

Continuing its tradition, PRCI will present its signature Chanakya Awards to recognize the outstanding contributions in Corporate Services and Communication, induct professionals with exemplary performance into PR Hall of Fame and felicitate winners of Corporate Collateral Awards under a host of categories.

PRCI is Supporting Partner for ET Corpcom Summit

• Summit to be held in Mumbai on December 09
• Visit: http://et-strategymasterclass.com/CorpComm/index.php

MUMBAI: Leading communication professionals’ body Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) has tied up with ET Edge to be a Supporting Partner for the 2nd Annual Economic Times Corporate Communication Strategy Summit – 2016 scheduled on the 9th December at Mumbai.

In the light of the aggressive media strategies and tech enabled consumers, the modern day corporate communication team has to constantly tackle the fluctuating tides of skepticism.

The second edition of The ET Corporate Communication Summit thus assumes significance as it features some of the most influential voices in corporate communication field. The summit will focus on ways in which businesses can keep employees informed, engaged, and motivated as well as provide an opportunity to interact with the experts as to understand how to advance their company’s goals while managing communication across multiple channels.

PRCI is a national body of Public Relations, media, advertising and HR practitioners as well as mass communication academicians with about 30 chapters pan-India. It conducts knowledge enhancement workshops periodically and felicitates achievers in various facets of communication such as PR, Journalism, Advertising, HR, community welfare, films and music with its signature Chanakya Awards. PRCI has recently launched its first global chapter in Dubai and will shortly have its units in te UK, US, Australia and so on.

PRCI has a youth wing called Young Communicators’ Club (YCC) though which it conducts professional activities for mass communication students.

PRCI also undertakes communication campaigns with social relevance. Recently, it organized campaign focusing on water conservation, girl security. Right now, it is running a campaign called Mission Mumbai Local focusing attention on the need to improve suburban rail infrastructure in the city where ten people die daily on an average on railway tracks, said PRCI national president and veteran media professional B N Kumar.

PRCI Chairman Emeritus and Chief Mentor M B Jayaram said the ET Corpocom summit is a unique opportunity for all communication professionals to learn from each other’s experiences.

PRCI and YCC will hold the 11th Global Communication Conclave at Bangalore in March first week.

Challenges in PR - In Kannada now!

The Institute of Media Studies and Research and Public Relations Council of India (Bangalore Chapter) organised an event to release the Kannada version of  Professor C.K. Sardana’s book "Challenges of Public Relations". The Kannada book, "Saarvajanaika Samparka - Saarthakatheya Savallu", was translated  by HR Shreesha and Khadri S. Achyuthan. The function was held today at University Visveswaraya College of Engineering Auditorium.

The Book was released by Prof K.R. Venugopal, Principal UVCE and PRCI Chairman, South Zone. Mr M.B Jayaram, Chairman Emeritus  PRCI presided over  the function. Mr R.T. Kumar Chairman GC PRCI and Mrs Geetha Shankar National Chairperson Young Communicators Club spoke on the occasion.

Several academicians, PR, Media and advertising  professionals from different sectors attended the function.

In this picture, L to R: H.R Shreesha, the translator of the book into Kannada, Mr S. Raman former DGM, Union Bank of India, R.T .Kumar, Khadri. S. Achyuthan.. the co-translator, Prof K.R. Venugopal, Principal of UVCE and  PRCI Chairman, South Zone, Prof C.K. Sardana, M B Jayaram, Suresh Savekar.S, General Manager  State Bank Of Mysore

YCC mag KAUTILYA born! Students told not to take life casually

BENGALURU: The much awaited KAUTILYA, the magazine of PRCI’s Young Communicators Club (YCC) has  been released at an event  held with the University Visveswaraya College of Engineering here on August 9.

The launch was followed by a talk on Innovations and Challenges in Cinema, Television and Digital Media by National Award winning Actor Mr Sanchari Vijai, Prof A.S.Chandra Mouli. Head- Department of Communications, Acharya Institute and Mr. Suresh Babu, Founder, Web Marketing Academy, respectively.

Say cheese! 

 The launch comes close on the heels of PRCI launching its magazine CHANAKYA in a new magazine format.

Mr Vijay asked the students to be focused and work hard and to pay attention to their communication. He spoke of the challenges he had to encounter during his initial days of college education and how hard he worked to master the skill. Mr Chandramouli spoke on the innovations Television has brought in and how it still keeps moving ahead.  Mr. Suresh Babu was on a practical demo with the students on their mobile phones. And the students had an opportunity to know more about their apps which they were holding.

Interesting Interaction 

Around 300 students from more than ten different colleges in Bangalore took part with their Professors and faculties. Interacting with the students, Mrs. Geetha Shankar, National Chairperson YCC said that students should come forward to start YCC cells in their colleges with the support of their faculties and try to bridge the gap between academics and corporate and try to be corporate ready.

Founder of YCC Mr M.B. Jayaram said that students should be behave with a sense of responsibility and accountability and “not to take life casually.”

R.T. Kumar spoke about the forthcoming Global Conclave in February 2017 and asked the students to participate in large numbers.

Mr Pranab. K. Pani was the Master of Ceremonies and he told the students what YCC is all about and how students can contribute to Kautilya.

During this function Ms Maya Chandra of Maya Films and Mr V.K. Lokesh were inducted by Ms Geetha

Rapt attention 

Shankar as President and Vice President of Karnataka YCC. Ms Maya speaking said that she has plans to lead the students of Media and Communication forward and it would help in their progression.

YCC Bangalore Chapter participated actively and the function was organised by the student volunteers under the guidance of YCC Bangalore Chapter Secretary Mr Prashanth V.

Ms Latha TS, Dr B.K Ravi, Chairman Bangalore Chapter and  seasoned Journalists, Academicians and HR professionals participated in the event.

All that begin well, ends well!

IANS flashesPRCI #shakti4beti story

Plea to PM Modi to declare Kalpana Chawla birthday as Daughters' Day

Indian born NASA astronaut, died along with six crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia

IANS  |  New Delhi June 25, 2016 Last Updated at 20:45 IST

 

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Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare July 1 as Daughters' Day in memory of Indian born NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla, the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) has launched a campaign #shakti4beti.

Kalpana, who had an illustrious career as a NASA astronaut, died along with six crew members of the Space Shuttle Columbia, which disintegrated over Texas during its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, just 16 minutes before landing. July 1 is Kalpana's official birthday. Even after her tragic death, Kalpana continues to be a shining example and icon for many girls around the world.

PRCI -- the pan-India premier body of PR, Media, Advertising, HR professionals and mass communication academicians -- embarked on a social media campaign to focus on communicating on the importance of girl security, culminating with Daughter's Day events on Friday next (July 1).

PRCI has petitioned the Prime Minister and tweeted to the HRD, Defence and Railway ministers urging for their help and support for #shakti4beti and declaring July 1 as Daughters' Day.

Explaining the significance of the theme, B N Kumar,national president of PRCI, said: "Beti Suraksha (girls' security) falls in line with the Union government's campaign Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. We as communication professionals firmly believe that it is absolutely important to communicate to the society at large on the issue that bothers all -- the security of the girl child".

"The memory of Kalpana Chawla, whose glory grew sky high, remains as an inspiration and we as communicators are keen to ensure that the GenX remembers with a sense of pride," said M B Jayaram, Chairman Emeritus and Chief Mentor of PRCI. "We at PRCI observe July 1 as Daughters' Day each year and now we have urged the Prime Minister to declare it as a National Daughters' Day," he added.

PRCI has also launched a Twitter and Facebook campaign to focus on communication about girl safety and security, and proposed to schools and colleges to initiate self defence programmes for girls.

"We are happy that KJ Somaiya Institute of Management Studies and Research (SIMSR) at Somaiya Vidyavihar, Mumbai, has agreed to actively participate in the campaign. Students will be mobilised to communicate on the issue. A Navi Mumbai-based developer, Prajapati Constructions, has also given its consent to launch the drive at a school in Uran, near Mumbai," said Kumar.

PRCI chapters across the country have also planned campaigns.The Bengaluru chapter planned a Beti Padhao programme.

EXCLUSIVE! PR has to be creative, Ad Guru Piyush Pandey tells CHANAKYA

"Constantly finding more creative ways to convey a message is the role of any communication professional. We are always seeking unique ways of getting the consumer’s attention, wherever he or she is. Without sounding like a promotional activity, PR material can also have headlines that hit you. Achhe Din is an example of a headline that ultimately became a poll slogan."


Presenting CHANAKYA April 2016 issue featuring Exclusive Interview with Ad Guru Piyush Pandey, 30 years to Ad Agency-PR Arm and Focus on Orchestration/Teamwork.
Happy Reading!

Skill upgrading: NTPC sets the road map

• PRCI Chairman Emeritus and Chief Mentor Jayaram 

       among speakers

• Media veterans guide sessions

KABINI, Karnataka: It was a PR meet with a difference. Tucked away from the urban concrete jungles,  NTPC executives had their annual PR conference on 18-19^th July at Kabini, 80 kms from Mysore. The place known for its evergreen landscape, lush green and thick forest,  had the perfect setting for thought-provoking discussions.

 

Jayaram explaining nuisances of crisis communication

The 2-day event with the theme “Bridging the Communication Gap” had the best brains from the media fraternity discussing with PR luminaries and top executives of the company.

 Anant Rangaswami,of CNBC, Shri Himangshu Watts (The Economic Times), Jayanta Roy Choudhury (The Telegrap), Durbar Ganguly (Millennium Post,  M.B.Jayaram, (PR Consultant and Chairman Emeritus of PRCI) Dominique Savio (Creative Director – Mudra) and Joe Scaria (ex-ET and Media Consultant)  formed the faculty that steered the sessions.

Dr Arup Roy Choudhury, CMD of NTPC,  in his opening remarks mentioned that PR persons must be pro –active and good communicators. He later presented the Annual PR awards for the Best House Journal, e-Magazine and MoU Excellence.

 Western Region – I Headquarters of  NTPC, Mumbai bagged the internal PR  MoU Excellence award as the best performing region for Public Relations.

G.J Deshpande, Regional Executive Director, WR-I , K Ravindran, AGM (PR) and Ms Kriti Dutta, Dy.Manager (PR) received the award.

S.N Ganguly,ED - Corporate Communication, Saptarshi Roy, RED –NRHQ,  Arvind Kumar, RED,East,II,HQ, R.Venkateswaran,RED (SR) P K Sinha, GM (Corporate Communications) were also participated.

Glimpses of the NTPC PR workshop

The annual event is a confluence of all PR professionals in the company to set targets and discuss the achievements of the previous Financial Year and recognizing the good work done by the professionals in the year gone by, part from learn from the experiences of veteran media professionals on handling various aspects of PR such as media relations, crisis communications and new trends in media.

Press Council must get more teeth, says Prasar Bharati Chief

• Media self-regulatory mechanism appears inadequate,
• says A Surya Prakash
• Addresses PRCI Global Communication Conclave
• DD reviving news programmes, looking for new ratings agency
• Conclave delegates express concern at ethical standards among media and PR professionals

NEW DELHI: Expressing concern at the “inadequate’ self-regulatory mechanism within media, Prasar Bharati Chairman A. Surya Prakash has suggested that the Press Council must become a Media Council with adequate media representation and acquire more teeth.   

Some of the private news channels have been creating noise during their prime time shows ignoring the news content. Viewers could now watch DD News or listen to All India Radio (AIR) is they were tired of the ‘noise channels’, he said and pointed out that “each and every Indian is a stake holder in Prasar Bharati since it depends on Union budgetary support - about Rs 2,100 crore out of its Rs 4,000-crore budget in the current financial year. Its own revenue generation was around Rs 1,650 crore as of now and with increased focus on internal revenue generation, this was expected to improve.  

Mr Surya Prakash, who is himself if a veteran journalist, was addressing an open session at the 9th Global Communication Conclave organized by the communication industry body Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) in the capital.

Mr Rajan Mahew, DG, COAI

Earlier during a panel discussion on media and PR ethics, delegates expressed concern over the recent developments that led to unpleasant developments. Responding, Editors Guild general secretary Ajay Upadhyay said the entire media community need not be painted with the same brush just because of some perceived unethical practices. Most media houses do have gatekeepers in the form of strong news desks and editors to check the flow of the news into the newspapers and channels.

Veteran journalist Mr K A Badarinathi, Editor-Poicy at Financial Chronicle, explained that media persons in general take adequate care while using tones of information that they get in the process of collecting the news.

During the two-day conclave that concluded on Saturday, communication professionals took part in panel discussions on media and PR ethics, CSR, financial inclusion, youth, technology and sexual harassment at workplace during the two-day Conclave ended on Saturday evening.

Rajan Mathews, Director General of Cellular Operators Association of India who delivered the keynote address, pointed out that misinformation is being spread on the so-called radiation effects from cell phone towers whereas there is no scientific evidence of such an impact. The mobile tower radiation emission standards that are being practiced in India are much more stringent than the western and European norms, he said.

Panel discussion on Financial Inclusion: 

Participating in a panel discussion on financial inclusion, former CMD of Canara Bank Rajiv Dubey said media should play a major role in increasing the financial literacy in the country, while Mr Shubhrangshu Neogi, Director and Head of Marketing & Brand-Religare emphacised the need to cut the jargon and simplify the flow of information to the masses. Financial services companies to need to involve PR machinery to educate the people about various plans and schemes and ensure inclusive growth, said Mohit Rochlani, CMO of IndiaFirst Life Insurance.
Discussion moderator and senior financial journalist Ritukant Ozha said media has an important role to play in furthering the cause of financial inclusion and asked financial institutions to be transparent in their communication with journalists.

M B Jayaram, Chairman Emeritus & Chief Mentor - PRCI 

Based on the suggestions from speakers, PRCI has decided to launch an awareness drive for adopting ethical practices among public relations practitioners and conduct skill development programmes for professionals to understand the functioning of media and its information needs, Mr M B Jayaram – Chairman Emeritus and Chief Mentor of PRCI, said.

Mr Surya Prakash said in his speech that the news packages on Doordarshan and All India Radio are being revamped to make them contemporary and appealing to the audience. The average age of employees at Prasar Bharati was 50 plus because of the absence of a Prasar Bharati Recruitment Board. There was need for fresh infusion of talent and therefore there was urgent need to have the recruitment boards in place.

Side by side, he explained, work was on to change the look and feel of the news channel and programmes and to get over the “Sarkari mindset” within the organization. “We have been working towards setting up a Prasar Bharati Recruitment Boards to work towards this goal,” he said to a question.

Editors Guild General Secretary (left) being
felicitated by CJ Singh, vice president (NE-PRCI)

Prasar Bharati is also looking forward to a new rating agency as the present system of gauging TRPs is woefully inadequate. “Hopefully, once the new system is in place, we will have a more authentic gauge of our viewership and listenership” he said.

Prasar Bharati is also in the process of strengthening its social media presence. For instance, DD has 610,000 followers and AIR 510,000 on the twitter and this is not enough. “We need to take a big leap forward,” he said and pointed out that the Republic Day parade video has over two million hits on Youtube and “this is a pointer to the rewards one gets for quality programming”. 

PRCI also felicitated PR professionals with Hall of Fame awards and presented the Chanakya Awards for exemplary performance.