Newspaper agents care two hoots for Janata Curfew; dump papers on retail vendors

Newspaper agents care two hoots for Janata Curfew; dump papers on retail vendors

MUMBAI, March 22: Ignoring the Janata Curfew call by the PM, certain newspaper agents have dumped today's papers on retail vendors.
"We decided to give off to our delivery boys as most parents would not allow their children to go out today,' said a retail vendor who suppliers papers to a large number of homes at Kopar Khairane, Navi Mumbai.
He said the vendors informed the distributors not to send papers today, yet the bundles were dumped on the retailers.
"We brought these bundles home as the agents refused to take them back. 'Now we have to sell them in raddi as they are of no value tomorrow," he said.
This retailer alone is forced to suffer a loss of Rs 2,000 for the day.
Hope the newspaper managements will take a pragmatic view and not charge the vendors for the papers distributed on Janata Curfew Day.

Kill Corona! Let's support Janata Curfew on March 22

‘Janta Curfew’ to be observed on 22 March from 7 AM to 9 PM

Citizens to thank the selfless service providers of the nation at 5 PM on 22 March

‘COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force’ set-up to meet economic challenges of the pandemic

PM advises citizens to avoid ‘panic buying’; assures availability of essentials
Posted On: 19 MAR 2020 8:41PM by PIB Delhi
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the nation on combating the challenge of COVID-19. On the occasion of ‘Navratra’, Prime Minister made nine requests to the people.

Prime Minister said that patience and resolve of all Indians  is vital in fighting the global pandemic which has wreaked havoc all over the world. He requested citizens to follow certain measures to ensure the containment of the fast spreading virus. He emphasized on the importance of not taking the pandemic lightly and the need to be aware and proactive towards prevention of COVID-19.

Prime Minister urged citizens to follow the mantra of “when we are healthy, the world is healthy”. He stressed on the importance of following self imposed norms like ‘social distancing’. Requesting citizens to patiently abide by the norm, he urged the need to isolate oneself and come out of the house only if imperative, while trying to work from home and avoid unnecessary travel. He also urged that senior citizens above the age of 60 should not come out of their homes for the coming few weeks. Highlighting the stress on the hospitals, he urged everyone to avoid routine check ups during this time and to extend the date of surgeries scheduled, wherever feasible.

‘Janta Curfew’

Prime Minister urged citizens to follow the concept of  ‘Janta Curfew’ on 22 March, 2020 from 7 AM to 9 PM, wherein no one apart from those involved with essential services is supposed to venture out of home. He said that the success of such a people’s movement and the experiences gained from it will prepare us for the challenges ahead. He added that our efforts on March 22, would be a symbol of our self restraint and determination to perform duty in the national interest.

Urging the state governments to take the lead, Prime Minister asked all youth organizations including NCC and NSS, civil societies to generate awareness among people about the ‘Janta Curfew’. He urged everyone to try to inform at least ten other people over phone about this self imposed curfew.

Thanking the selfless service providers

Prime Minister said that there are many brave people who are in the forefront of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic like medical staff, police, government servants, airline staff, media persons, bus/train/auto operators and those involved in providing home delivery.

To pay respects to their huge service to the nation during such trying times, Prime Minister suggested that on March 22 at 5 PM, all citizens should acknowledge and salute their efforts by standing in the balconies and at the doors of their houses and clap or ring bells for five minutes as a show of appreciation .

He urged the local government across the country to indicate the timing through blaring out a siren at 5 PM.

Meeting the Economic Challenges

To deal with the economic challenges caused by the pandemic, Prime Minister announced the creation of ‘COVID-19 Economic Response Task Force’ under the Union Finance Minister. The Task Force will consult stakeholders, take feedback, on the basis of which decisions will be taken to meet the challenges. The Task Force will also ensure implementation of the decisions taken to meet these challenges.

Prime Minister also urged the business community and higher income groups to look after the economic needs of those from lower income groups, from whom they take various services, urging them not to cut their salary on the days they are unable to render the services due to inability to come to the workplace. He stressed on the importance of humanity during such times.

He also assured the countrymen that there would not be any shortage of essential items like food, milk, medicines etc. He urged people to not resort to panic buying.

Prime Minister exhorted everyone to work together and contribute fully to overcome the crisis of COVID-19. He urged the citizens not to fall prey to misinformation. Prime Minister said that  during the time of such a global pandemic, it is important to ensure that ‘humanity wins and India wins’.

#SaveWater4CoronaCare; PRCI, NatConnect launch joint campaign

• Focus on vanishing wetlands, too

MUMBAI: Aligning itself with the UN-driven World Water Day being observed on March 22, communicators’ national body Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) and environment NGO NatCnnect Foundation have launched a campaign to save water for corona care, while addressing the issue of vanishing wetlands and the increasing menace of effluents.

“Such events involve group meetings and gatherings, but in view of the COVID-19 threat across the world, we cancelled our ground events and launched online campaigns to increase awareness about saving water,” said B N Kumar, director of NGO NatConnect Foundation.

“We also seek to focus attention on the need to take preventive care against the deadly virus by regularly washing hands with clean water,” said M B Jayaram, PRCI Chairman Emeritus and Chief Mentor.

"Moreover, when we are faced with climatic change conditions, we firmly believe that conservation of water will help us fight the crisis, as the UN campaign stresses" he said.

The World Water Day website says Climate delay is almost as dangerous as climate denial.  Every country in the world must work more quickly. Extreme weather events are making water more scarce, more unpredictable, more polluted or all three.

It is in this context that the online campaign #SaveWater4CoronaCare assumes significance.  

The campaign also speaks about the need to increasingly use recycled or STP treated water for non-potable purposes and even toilet flushing and conserve precious drinking water, said Kumar.

Governments and civic bodies should also take rain water harvesting and charging the ground water seriously, Jayaram said.

Another environment focused NGO Shri Ekvira Ari Pratishtan has also joined the campaign calling for saving wetlands “as our national treasure” and maintain ground water tables.  “We need to save wetlands and village water bodies which are being wiped out due to urban and infrastructure development. Wetlands do help in maintain ground water tables and our so-called planners take pleasure in their short-sighted approach of filling the water bodies under the guise of development,” said Nandakumar Pawar, head of Shri Ekvira Ari Pratishtan.

COVID-19 - Lessons from Freakonomics

By S NARENDRA

(Former Information adviser to PM/PIO Govt of India)

The Government of India has done well to declare the threat, an existential one, posed by the global Corona virus -19, a national disaster. There could be two opinions about the   adequacy of the measures taken   so far to protect the   people against the CV-19 pandemic. It is well to remember that the pandemic   has overtaken the seven continents with least warning and overwhelmed most countries’ governments. The countries with enormous financial and health -related resources are finding it difficult to cope with the CV-19 challenge.

It is a time for citizens to proactively support the official measures by following the guidelines stipulated regarding personal hygiene and social distancing. The latter is a tough call in a densely populated country like India where people live cheek by jowl. The burden of keeping the Virus away largely falls on the individual and the family, calling for a total transformation of human social and personal behaviour.  As of now the government’s attention is concentrated on putting in place   policies and programmes to control the virus spread and on   mitigating the pandemic‘s adverse effects on the economy and people’s livelihoods.

The Indian government, like many others such as China, USA, Britain, and, the European Union, is contemplating fiscal and monetary measures to stimulate the economy. As many economists have pointed out, the economic theory has no answers as it has never faced, nay never contemplated, the dislocation of life caused by CV-19 pandemic. It is outside the Demand-Supply framework (the invisible hand of market forces) of the discipline. A noted American economist, Tyler Cowan, in a recent online post wrote that   basic   economic concepts like ‘inflation’ are   no longer useful when the toilet and facial tissue paper, sanitisers, soaps, face masks become more valuable than the commodities in the normal basket of goods whose prices are studied for measuring inflation,  and   adjusting   lending interest rates.

The Union and state governments are now required to deal with a hydra-headed problem on an emergency basis. The CV-19   has arrived on the back of an economic slowdown, that had drastically reduced the government revenues. The shut-down of vital economic activities in most sectors due to the pandemic will inevitably further dim the governments’ revenue   outlook. It is a double whammy because now the governments are required to deal with a many-headed problem with massive resources. Considering the enormity of the challenge, the governments will do well not to rush out for   bailing out businesses which are making the most noise. Perhaps, the outlines of the economic and social challenges are yet to emerge fully for thinking of a measured response. The world, including India , seems to be headed for the long haul.

There are likely to be some unintended consequences from the on-going ‘National Disaster’ which may need to be reckoned by policy makers. Such consequences are studied under the title of Freakonomics by some noted economists. CV-19 is exposing in both the rich and poor countries the massive inadequacies in the health infrastructure, a key contributor to any nation’s human resources. It will do a lot of good if the media and experts are allowed to put the Indian public health infrastructure, and the economic model that tilts it in favour of privatising health, to a lot of public scrutiny.

Perhaps, for the first time the nation will be X-raying this sector, hopefully gaining the sector the priority it deserves in central and state budget allocations. Many health sector experts have lamented that the center  and states governments combined  expenditure on health is far lower than her neighbours. The economist Joseph Stiglitz has pointed out that the trend of moving away from public to private health care in India was pushing fast more people in  to poverty. The present situation is a great opportunity for bringing back health care into the national political agenda. Unfortunately, the gains in the health sector are post-dated, invisible and offer less scope for political kickbacks that accrue from building physical infrastructure. Hence, it tends to receive lip-service.

The COVID induced closure of educational institutions   again offers an opening for examining the deficiencies of distance education and utilising the tremendous possibilities offered by the technology for delivering quality educations and skills to the masses at less cost. Its quality has to be improved vastly  and used for improving the standard of education imparted in government schools and colleges. The government, academia and technology innovators need to be brought together   to collaborate in this sector. If the governments care to use a significant part of the any stimulus money for the above two objectives, it would go to improve India’s competitive advantage, encashing the available demographic dividend.

A third priority should be to bring relief to the informal sector due to the shutdown. This sector provides the bulk of the employment to about 472 million total workforce. The formal sector accounts for about 10 per cent of the jobs  but  has more voice in policy making. The economic distress caused to workers who have no job guarantees, no social security   cover, is unimaginable because of the shutdown. Going by the expert’s opinion, COVID emergency could last   fairly   long. Announcements such as facilitating more credit to SMEs are conventional solutions which may not be adequate in this dire situation. The livelihood of the   huge number of wage earners whose only tradable asset is physical labour is under threat. How to fulfil their basic food needs requires immediate   attention. One does not know whether the governments should consider opening something like opening free soup kitchens. In New York, according to the New York Times report, some 750000 school children were dependent upon the school provided   one daily meal. The shutting down of schools has deprived them of this daily meal. If that is the situation in USA, imagine the plight of children of families in India who have no daily regular wage -earning work. This is mentioned here mainly to point out the enormity of the problems facing the polity.

There was a report that the air quality over China had improved due to the COVID 19   induced lockdown. Ironically, the human caused global warming effects will be less due to the global economic shut down.  Every past year in this millennium has seen an increase in global temperature.2020 may be an exception. This is one of the Freakonomics effects. The policy makers, if so inclined, can draw some lessons and build them into post-COVID policies. The CV-19 is compelling us to change our social and personal behaviour. We have the option to resume our   life with  business as usual in the post- COVID era,  leaving our fate, that of the universe, to market forces and climate change. We also have the option, having come out of an existential threat, to modify our life -styles defined by instant gratification of wants and adopt a more environment sustainable life style. One hopes that the  traditional economic theory hinged to consumption-based capitalism  that shapes government policies listens to the lessons coming out of  the COVID crisis, and its consequences for people whose life is on the fringes of the market forces but who are vital to the  overall economy.

On the informal sector that accounts for nearly half of India’s GDP and major portion of the employment and wage earners by the necessary shutdown is unimaginable. The shutdown of most social and economic activities necessitated by CV-19.

A very important point is that the challenge posed by COVID -19 has  to be fought at the state, district and village level   without the clash of political egos. In this humbling moment in the nation’s history, the sagacity of leaders in Delhi and the state capitals will be tested. It is a time to show  a shared vision and resolve for infusing confidence in the people that the political system is united in navigating them out of the pandemic.

Wanted: Tectonic shift in teaching & Learning

Geetha Shankar at the Learning Tree!

The yawning gap between teaching and learning has to be bridged, writes Geetha Shankar

A couple of months ago, I received an email from a person who was recently laid off from his job. He in his early thirties and was a participant in one of my training programmes conducted for a company. I didn’t have direct work experience with him, and it was only a classroom passing for a day.  I called him over for coffee and spent a couple of hours with him.  This is a pretty common occurrence–I get these types of distress calls regularly.   

The new dynamics of digital, education, work, family culture   is transforming not only the way we communicate, learn, work, live but how we think, feel, see, hear, talk and change.  We cannot afford to be naïve and experience knee jerks to witness the job market changing.  The word “Job” is a misnomer now.  Because “jobs are going to be replaced d by tasks or contracts”  Philip Brown in his book Global Auction talks how companies are slashing costs by reducing or closing full time jobs into tasks through auctions and the lowest bid gets it. “The youth need to get their portfolio careers and bid for contracts than apply for jobs. Because that is where the future is.” 

As days go by, I wonder and realise how progressively the youth are transforming how they communicate, share and learn from each other. In a nutshell they are going open. Going open is a social Revolution according to David Price, because it represents a fundamental challenge to the established order of things and something that cannot be ignored. It disrupts everything and things are not going to be the same again.

In this Renaissance, the Youth stand as winners and losers as well.  Winners because they are connected and are motivated by the easy access to ideas and information and are better connected than ever. Barriers in learning have been dismantled and their capacity to learn has spiraled.

And the Youth stand as losers too in this game. The exaggerated prediction of the knowledge economy that its value will flow in abundance, has probably turned out to be a blind faith. We have a market flooded by unemployed graduates and learning has not led to earning nor up-gradation of any skills.  There is a dearth of commodity jobs and innovation jobs.

Where did we go wrong?  I vividly remember the endless lessons in my school and colleges, where I was taking notes so rapidly, as my teacher wrote on the black board or said something (before it was rubbed off or vanished from my memory). I believed that writing down will assist my memory. It did of course to get good grades in my exams. I mock at myself when I read Mark Twain:  “College is a place, where a professor’s lecture notes go straight to the students’ lecture notes without passing through the brains of either”.

If we wonder sometimes why we don’t remember what we learnt in schools and colleges, it could be because of many factors like distraction and lack of passion etc. Learning is ultimately an act of self-determination.

Please consider these points:

Ø  No one can be made to learn anything - For knowledge and understanding to stick we need the learner’s intent, which is the desire to learn.
Ø  Teachers can only help learners to see the relevance which drives self-motivation and how learning can make a difference in one’s life. But cannot motivate learners to learn.
Ø  Engagement has to precede learning - Learners have to be in the flow to learn without being unaware of the time. Otherwise learning becomes superficial, without depth
Ø  Survey shows that informal learning is more favored than formal.   L L& D professionals like me would agree on the 70: 20: 10 principle. 70%gained through experience in job, 20%through coaching/ mentoring, 10% through formal structured course / syllabus
Ø  Indulging in Repeated application of Knowledge is more efficient than Recalling information.
Ø  Capacity to learn is also affected by our mind sets. If we conclude that our intelligence is limited because of our brains rather than effort, our capacity to learn also comes down. 

As parents, educators and professionals of the 21^st Century, let us start looking within ourselves and stop looking around.  We can join together to make schools, colleges and universities an engaging place for the Youth. We can prepare youths for life beyond formal education.

Heng Swee Keat speaks about the hats to be worn by Educators-.   They are the Hats of an Ethical Educator, Hats of a Competent Professional, Hats of a Collaborative Learner, Hats of a Transformational Leader, and the Hats of a Community Builder through Service learning.

It’s time for us to rethink radically as to how we learn, innovate at work, and reshape our education system and do what is essential in supporting the youth to enjoy vocationally focused education and lifelong learning in response to the societal shifts. (The author is Director-PRCI and Chairperson- YCC)

CHANAKYA March 2020 - Flip version

Click on this link:
                                               
http://anyflip.com/trxd/zlyk/

Silicon Valley of India to host 14th Global Communication Conclave

·       Theme: PR Beyond 2020; Venue shifted from Kochi due to Coronavirus scare

·       Chanakya & PR Excellence Awards to be presented

BENGALURU: The Silicon Valley of India Bengaluru is all set to host the 14^th Global Communication Conclave organized by Communicators premier body Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) under the aegis of  World Communicators’ Council (WCC)  on March 6 & 7 with theme being PR Beyond 2020.

Being held in association with Bangalore University, the Conclave venue is Jnana Jyothi Auditorium, 11, Palace Rd, Ambedkar Veedhi, Gandhi Nagar, Bengaluru -560009. PRCI Kerala chapter was to host the event which is now shifted to Bengaluru in view of the coronavirus scare. The Kerala Government has declared it a State disaster.

PRCI - http://www.publicrelationscouncilofindia.com/ - is the pan-India platform of communication, PR, media, advertising, HR, marketing communication professionals, mass communication teachers and students.

“As we all are aware, 20:20 represents perfect vision. We at PRCI strongly feel that it is time to look beyond perfection since there is always room for improvement. It is not a mere coincidence that the theme will be discussed in the year 2020,” said M B Jayaram, Chief Mentor and Chairman Emeritus of PRCI.

A notable aspect of the Conclave is that it is being held in association with the just launched World Communicators’ Council (WCC). Promoted by PRCI, WCC aims to be a one-stop Global Knowledge Powerhouse in mass communication.

The Torch of Knowledge Jnana Jyothi Auditorium

B N Kumar, Chairman of PRCI Governing Council said: “The two-day global event will be packed with knowledge sessions with ample opportunities for networking for the delegates. As in the previous 13 Global Conclaves, PRCI will have top notch professionals from Corporates, Communication, Media, Advertising, HR, Marketing and Mass Communication academicians at the 14^th Conclave. Our previous Conclaves have seen an attendance of over 500 delegates. We expect many more numbers in the Manthan of ideas in the City of Gardens.”

Explaining the theme, S Narendra, president – National executive of PRCI said: “PR has come a long way, from being courier boys, travel assistants or glorified protocol managers. Now, we strongly feel that it’s time to look beyond all these and see where we fit in and command value that we PR or communication professionals deserve,” said Narendra, ex-advisor to many PMs and former Government of India spokesperson.

Dr T Vinay Kumar, Conclave chairman and president-elect, PRCI national executive, said: “We regret that Kochi will miss the event due to the coronavirus issue. But we are confident that PRCI together will put up a grand show at Bengaluru.”

Sunil Kannath, director-international of PRCI explained that WCC will endeavor to integrate communication organisations and professionals globally for sharing knowledge and contribute to the exchange of ideas and experiences to communicate for a better world, as the motto says.

“We hope to see a synthesis of ideas from among the youth as we will have a dedicated session for the segment,” said Geetha Shankar, chairperson of PRCI-YCC.

PRCI will also honour corporates and achievers with its signature Chanakya awards, 12^th in the series and induct professionals into the unique PR Hall of Fame. The Conclave will also recognize talent with the much sought after PRCI Excellence Awards, 10^th in the series.

CHANAKYA Awards National, Global Achievers

Please check this list and send in your recommendations

PRCI Excellence Awards - Categories & Entry Form. Deadline Jan 30, 2020

Kochi Ahoy! Register quickly for 14th Global Communication Conclave

14th Global Communication Conclave to be held in Kochi on March 6 & 7

·       Theme: PR Beyond 2020.

·       Corporate captains, professionals from across the globe to address

·       Chanakya & PR Excellence Awards to be presented

KOCHI: Communicators premier body Public Relations Council of India will hold its 14th Global Communication Conclave at Kochi, in association with the World Communicators’ Council (WCC),  on March 6 & 7, 2020 with theme being PR Beyond 2020. The venue is: Gokulam Park Hotel & International Convention Centre, Near Kaloor metro station.

PRCI is the pan-India platform of communication, PR, media, advertising, HR, marketing communication professionals, mass communication teachers and students.

“As we all are aware, 20:20 represents perfect vision. We at PRCI strongly feel that it is time to look beyond perfection since there is always room for improvement. It is not a mere coincidence that the theme will be discussed in the year 2020,” said M B Jayaram, Chief Mentor and Chairman Emeritus of PRCI.

B N Kumar, Chairman of PRCI Governing Council said: “As in the previous 13 Global Conclaves, PRCI will have top notch professionals from Corporates, Communication, Media, Advertising, HR, Marketing and Mass Communication academicians at the 14^th Conclave. Our previous Conclaves have seen an attendance of over 500 delegates. We expect many more numbers in the Manthan of ideas in the Spice City.”

Explaining the theme, S Narendra, president – National executive of PRCI said: “PR has come a long way, from being courier boys, travel assistants or glorified protocol managers. Now, we strongly feel that it’s time to look beyond all these and see where we fit in and command value that we PR or communication professionals deserve,” said Narendra, ex-advisor to many PMs and former Government of India spokesperson.

Dr T Vinay Kumar, Conclave chairman and president-elect, PRCI national executive, said: “We in Kochi are all set to receive the delegates from across the world. We are sure the Conclave will be an exciting event with power-packed sessions and several takeaways in terms of thoughts and actions.”

A notable aspect of the Conclave is that it is being held in association with the just launched World Communicators’ Council (WCC). Promoted by PRCI, WCC aims to be a one-stop Global Knowledge Powerhouse in mass communication.

Sunil Kannath, director-international of PRCI explained that WCC will endeavor to integrate communication organisations and professionals globally for sharing knowledge and contribute to the exchange of ideas and experiences to communicate for a better world, as the motto says.

“We hope to see a synthesis of ideas from among the youth as we will have a dedicated session for the segment,” said Geetha Shankar, chairperson of PRCI-YCC.

PRCI will also honour corporates and achievers with its signature Chanakya awards, 12^th in the series and induct professionals into the unique PR Hall of Fame. The Conclave will also recognize talent with the much sought after PRCI Excellence Awards, 10^th in the series.

Greens want top priority to Environment in Maha Alliance

Shri Uddhav Thackeray, President, Shiv Sena

Shri Sharad Pawar, President, Nationalist Congress Party

Smt Sonia Gandhi, President, Congress (I)

Namaskar!

As an alliance planning to form the Maharashtra State Government we appreciate your efforts to focus on the farmers’ problems which remained unresolved for many years.

And we were quite happy to learn from media reports that your Common Minimum Programme (CMP) envisages to save the money to be spent on the environment unfriendly Bullet Train project and use the funds for farmers’ welfare.

It is a laudable step since the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train project is slated to destroy 54,000 mangroves and unsettle the entire ecology as has been confirmed in the official impact assessment reports.

May we remind you of the pre-poll promise made by the Shiv Sena that the Aarey area will be declared as a forest? The merciless destruction of 2,700 trees for metro car shed at Aarey is too well known to be described here. It is time you took some corrective steps once your government assumes office.

Your alliance must give top priority to environment protection and ensure that no infrastructure development should cause any destruction of environment. We are not opposed to infrastructure needed for social and economic progress, but it should not come at the cost of nature.

We have been experiencing frequent floods in Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR), yet we do not seem to have learnt any lessons.

While trying to solve the farmers’ issues, we appeal to you to look at the unresolved problems faced by the fishermen, particularly in Uran area, and the wanton destruction of environment in the name of infrastructure projects. As much as 8,000 hectares of 32,000 hectares of wetlands and mangroves in the eco-sensitive Uran region have been destroyed. The process of destruction is going on unabated despite the Bombay High Court rulings and the court appointed mangrove committee’s instructions.

To cite some of the recent instances:

A 500 acre wetland at Dastan Phata has been turned into a dust bowl.

Thousands of mangroves are being destroyed in the name of JNPT SEZ, NMSEZ and expansion of highways.

Wetlands are being buried at Bori Pakhadi, Belpada, Pagote and other places.

The landfill and blockage of free flow of creek water has led to the water finding its own course and flooding several villages during Holi festival.

In the name of landfill for Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA), hundreds of hectares of mangroves are being wiped out. This has in fact led to floods at CBD Belapur during February when there was no semblance of rain.

All these have not only caused irreparable damage to the environment but badly impacted the lives of fishing community whose lone source of survival has been snatched away from them. They are not allowed to fish anywhere in the vicinity of the infrastructure projects.

On top of it, JNPT now started reclaiming 110 hectares for its Container Terminal-4 and jetty which is being vehemently opposed by the fishing community.

All project proponents, without exception, have violated the preconditions by environment and other authorities which clearly stipulated that the projects should not cause any harm to the environment and not interfere with fishing community’s movements.

JNPT has now put up notices asking the people to remove their fishing boats around Mora or face consequences as the port authorities want fill the sea.

The mangroves are growing on their own without any human efforts, yet, instead of allowing them to flourish the infrastructure project proponents, including the government agencies, are killing them with short-sighted approach.

We would like to draw your attention to the recent US research study which cautioned that the rising sea levels will drown Mumbai and other coastal cities. At a time when we need more and more mangroves and new varieties of them to protect the coast, we are hell bent on destroying the existing ones. This is nothing short of a recipe for disaster.

Floods at BKC, Badlapur, Kalyan-Sheel and Uran are too fresh in our minds to be forgotten.

The previous government has chalked out plans to reclaim salt pan areas for affordable housing and expand MMR to develop urban infrastructure. Again here, environment will be the biggest sufferer and the projects will not survive the nature’s fury.

In view of all these facts, we sincerely appeal to you to accord top priority to environment protection.

We also request you pursue our suggestion to set up an independent Green Police to tackle environment violations as the existing police force is ill-equipped and inadequate to take care of such cases. Our suggestion for Green Police made to the then Chief Minister is pending with the Home department.

Looking forward to positive and pro-environment governance.

Yours sincerely

B N Kumar – Director, NatConnect

Nandakumar Pawar – Shree Ekvira Aai Pratishtan

Tukaram Koli, Dilip Koli – Paaramparik Machcimar Bachao Kruti Samiti

Ethics are core to professionalism in communication: Experts

Chandigarh: Ethics are the key elements for any professional communicator to succeed and build one's credibility and competence, said CJ Singh, National Vice President of Public Relations Council of India (PRCI).

Addressing the students at the workshop on press release writing conducted at the School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, he said that understanding the norms of ethical conduct is one of the four essential pillars to any professional success.
The other three being the academics or the knowledge, the strong operational skills and third, to be a part of the professional body which regulates and promotes professional excellence.
Jupinderjeet Singh of The Tribune and Kanchan from Indian Express shared the journalists' perspective in effectively writing a press release which should be based on facts, free of bias or subjectivity, and free of advertising hyperbole. 

L 2 R: Renuka Salwan, CJ Singh, Sumedha Sharma, Jupinderjeet Singh, Kanchan, Jayanth Pethkar

Renuka Salwan, another experienced professional and Director Public Relations, Panjab University, shared the need to practise the art of writing by working like a media person and framing the news releases for the print media in a way which is newsworthy and caters to all the 5Ws and the Hs.
Dr Sumedha Sharma, Chairperson and former chairman Jayanth Pethkar of School of Communication Studies interacted with the students.
The workshop was organised to commemorate the World Communiators Day observed by PRCI, on first known press release issued by one of the PR practitioners on 28th October 1906 in USA, Mr Ivy Lee, who issued an official statement to the journalists on behalf of Pennsylvania Rail Road company following a rail accident in which 50 people had died.