Denise Lawrenece's Talk

Denise Lawrence of UK, Department of Value Education, Brahma Kumari’s World Spiritual University, in her special talk, organized by Global Forum for Public Relations on 24th Dec 2006, here in Hyderabad said we live in a highly materialistic world which compromises and contaminates our life style. The power of materialism has eroded the natural spiritual strength and people are unable to resist corruption, temptation and a variety of addictions.

Narrating her experience in media during her career in UK & US she said that a country like India with its age-old historical background and following the commandments contained in great epics like Ramayana & Mahabharata, which advocated human and ethical values in the normal life has a great potential to take up many practices of the present day including Corporate Communication.

She said that the root cause of any ill was the general spiritual depletion and the need of the hour was to restore spiritual component of a human being and the source of spiritual strength. Such an environment will enable us to integrate the power of spirituality into our social, professional, communication and family approach.

She, therefore, stressed the need for ensuring ethical values in dealing with corporate communication to achieve positive credibility for the organization.

She has co-related these elements to the Golden Triangle set by the Global Forum with regard to Professionalism, Ethics and Spirituality for effective Public Relations.

The chief guest of the programme, Dr. C.V. Narasimha Reddi, Editor of PR Voice, observed that Corporate Ethics and Public Relations Ethics should go hand in hand in gaining organizational credibility. He advised the corporate communicators to bear values and ethics in mind in their day-to-day corporate activity. Quoting the meaning of ‘meditation’ as ‘connection’ he said that the very business of corporate communication is to establish a connection between the organization and its various publics. This way, meditation can be used as a ‘medication’ to overcome stress and strain and to sharpen one’s own skills.
(Contributed by Mr. Y. Babji)

Best PRSI Chapter Award for Chandigarh

Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Society of India got the Best Chapter Performance Award at the just concluded 28th All India Public Relations Conference organised by PRSI at Lucknow.
Mrs. Renuka Salwan, Chairperson of Chandigarh Chapter, who had led the 21 member delegation from the Chapter, received the award from the chief guest, the former president of Mauritius.
PRSI Chandigarh Chapter had been instrumental in starting and mentoring a Chapter of PRSI in Himachal Pradesh earlier this year, besides launching its own website, and regularly organising programmes for professional development of its members.

Chandni Luthra's Talk

It is for the information all those who confirmed for attending the talk by Ms Chandni Luthra, Vice President, ITDC, New Delhi, on "New Dimensins in Tourism Promotion", at Chandigarh on 12th December stands postponed now to 19th December, Tuesday, at 5pm at the UT Guest House.
The Department of Tourism, UT Administration, Chandigarh, is the sponsor of the evening.

New Dimensions in Tourism Promotion

Chandigarh Chapter of PRSI is organising a lecture presentation on 'New Dimensions in Tourism Promotion' on Tuesday, 12th December 2006 at 4:45 pm at UT Guest House.
Presentation shall be made by Ms. Chandni Luthra, Vice President, Indian Tourism Development Corporation, New Delhi.
She is a PR veteran and closely working with the Chandigarh Administration in the promotion of the city as a tourism destination.
All of you who can make it, are most cordially invited.

Welcome Aboard

We welcome all those new members who are signing up the group. Welcome Aboard. We shall appreciate if you can comlete your profile as well as post questions or the information that you would like to share about the public relations practice with your other fellow members in the community. There is a lot to learn from each other.

With best wishes. CJ

PR Milestone

On 30th October 2006, we have possibly passed a milestone in public relations. The press release turned the century. It is believed that Ivy Lee, who is also considered to be the father of modern public relations, created the first press release for his client, the Pennsylvania Railroad. This was following an accident on October 28, 1906, in which 50 people lost their lives when a three-car train met with an accident at Atlantic City. Lee convinced his clients to distribute a public statement on the accident and even take the journos on the accident site through a special train.

The New York Times is believed to have commended this approach of openness and published this press release, verbatim, in their 30th October 1906 issue with the header, 'Statement from the Road'.

Trust and honesty indeed is the hallmark of public relations; as someone has rightly said that truth is not a substitute for public relations. And that is the truth that all of us in the profession must appreciate and practise. CJ

National PR Awards

Public Relations Society of India invites entries for the Public Relations National Awards 2006, on the occasion of the 28th All India Public Relations Conference being held at Lucknow.

Entries are invited from PR agencies/consultants/advertising agencies in the categories of House Journals, Bulletins/Newsletters, e-newsletters, corporate campaign, mass awareness campaign, PR in action case study, etc.

Please get in touch with Dr. Ajit Pathak, National President, PRSI, for sending your entries,
drajitpathak2002@yahoo.com, pathaka@iocl.co.in

Rashtriya Gaurav Award to PRSI National Vice President North

Mr. Rajesh Kumaar, the National Vice President (North) of Public Relations Society of India., has been honoured with the prestigious Rashtriya Gaurav Award-2006 on 29thOctober 2006 in the 14th Akhil Bhartiya Hindi Sahtiya Samaroh
The award has been conferred on him for his his book on Public Relations, 'Jansampark -Sashakth Bhartiya Avdharna'. and outstanding contribution to the enrichment of Hindi language, and literature.
Congratulations from the PR community.

Empowering Citizens through Consumer Protection Act

After the Rights to Information Act, it is now the turn of Consumer Protection Act, 1986. The government has initiated a big move to enlarge the scope of the Act where any consumer can approach it for deficiency in services, even those relating to the public service utilities, and seek redressal. This is to empower the citizens further to seek quality service and even restraining the service companies like the mobile companies, from sharing your data with others for commercial purposes.

This throws a great challenge for the public relations practitioners in every organisations, who must prepare themselves to conduct regular internal audit for the services their organisation offers to their consumers and set up early warning systems for possible fallout of any deficient or incomplete service.

Register for All India PR Conference

The registration for the 28th All India Public Relations Conference is open. The Early Bird on the registration is available till 20th November 2006. So plesae hurry:

PRSI/IPRA Members: Rs.3,000
Non-Members: Rs.3,500
Students : Rs.500
Spouse: Rs.1800
Former PR Professionals: Rs.1500

After 20th November, the registration charges shall go up by Rs.500.

Please send registration by cheque/demand draft drawn in favour of "PRSI Lucknow Conference-2006", payable at Lucknow, and should be sent to the Secretary, Organising Committee.

Download the Registration Form from www.prsi.in

Blog on: http://prsichd.blogspot.com/

28th All India Public Relations Conference

The 28th All India Public Relations Conference, the premier event for the PR practitioners, is being held at Lucknow on 8-10 December 2006. It is important that every PR practitioner in the country joins in and attends this event at Lucknow.
The program and registration details are being sent soon. However, you can block your dates for participation.
Those of us who can help in any way can contact the Chairman/Secretary of the Lucknow Chapter for any help :

Mr. Ratan Mani Lal, Chairman, PRSI Lucknow Chapter
Jaipuria School of Mass Communication,
Vineet Khand, Gomti Nagar,
Lucknow 226 010
Phone: 0522 2300295 / 2394297
Fax: 0522 2394295
email: prsilucknow@rediffmail.com

Mr. Bhuvnesh Agarwal, Secretary PRSI Lucknow Chapter
Phone: 0522 2204706 / 9415017184 / 9849057488.

Google Search for India PR

Want to know about Indian PR industry? Google has now a special search for India PR. Click on the link below to find out more.
http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=000160208288332156671%3Aisw9io-_nx8

The search engine is being optimised with more and more information being added to it and in a few months time it would become a veritable source of information on the Indian PR industry. Isn't that great?

Do You Blog?

Sometimes back Chandigarh Chapter held a special programme to introduce the PR practitioners about blogging. But it seems not many have started their interaction with blogs.

At least visit your own blog of PRSI Chandigarh, www.prsichd.blogspot.com.

Indian PR Industry

The largest blogspot for the Indian PR practitioners has added a number of websites as a resource for the PR professionals in the country, which also includes yours truly's blogspot as well as our website, prsi.in. To read more, log on to:
http://indiapr.blogspot.com/2006/10/customised-indian-pr-industry-search.html

If you come across the Indian PR-related websites, do report on the blog or respond.

Bachpan Bachao Andolan

A new movement to protect children in homes, and in hospitality industry has been started. It had a good beginning and the organisers are going ahead with commendable passion with good communication strategy.
This campaign has been launched by BACHPAN BACHAO ANDOLAN on 6th of October 2006, to to raise awareness among the general public on the recent notification by the Government of India to ban the employment of children in homes, and in the hospilitality industry i.e dhabas, restaurant, tea stalls and spas.
The campaign document, 'From Work to School' can be downloaded from their website, www.bba.org.in.
You can also send an email to Mr. Umesh/Ms. Sheetal,
Bachpan Bachao Andolan
L-6, Kalkaji
New Delhi -110 019
Tel.:91-11-26224899, 26475481
Fax No.91-11-26236818
advocacy@bbasaccs.org
Website:www. bba.org.in

PRSI National Council Meeting
The National Council meeting of the PRSI is being held at Hotel Clarks, Mall Road, Cantonment, Varanasi at 12noon on Saturday, 28th October 2006, to be followed by lunch. After the meeting, a special AGM will also be held at the same venue at 3pm. For further details, www.prsi.in/nc_activities.html

Interested in hosting the 29th All India Public Relations Conference
Proposals are invited from the Chapters of PRSI for hosting the 29th All India Public Relations Conference in 2007. Please get in touch with the PRSI National President Dr. Ajit Pathak, pathaka@iocl.co.in

PR men should keep abreast with technology, says Vivek Atray

“IT is a facilitator impacting every facet of our life, said Mr. Vivek Atray, Director Public Relations and Tourism, UT Administration, Chandigarh, at a seminar on “Information Technology in Public Relations” organised by the Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Society of India on September 30.

He called upon the public relations practitioners to continuously upgrade their technological skills and automate various processes for effective interface with the media as well as all other stake holders of an organisation, he said.

He underlined the need for every organisation to sustain good PR practice through regular updation of information available on their website.

He commended the Chandigarh Chapter of PRSI for enhancing the professional skills of PR men through such programmes, and also launched the website of PRSI, (www.prsi.in) making Chandigarh Chapter the only second Chapter after Chennai to go online.
Mr. J.K. Menon, CEO of Interworld Commnet, a web automation company, spoke about the growing use of blogging by the corporates as well as individuals to publish and share contents freely with instant feedback through comments and even the visitors data. Mr. Menon said that blogging has given the power to every individual to interact and network with like minded people on the web-sphere.

“It is an independent web based publishing area where one is free to express himself on any topic with out any restrictions. It is a highly interactive communicating medium that facilitates interactions among the diverse audiences”, said Mr. Menon.

Mr. Charanjit Singh, managing director, Core PR, emphasised that it has become imperative for every professional to stay competitive and excel through constant upgradation of knowledge, skills and abilities.

He said that the technology has enabled the PR practitioners to upscale their information interface with all stake holders through webcasting, podcasting, and blogging, enabling them to interact with different stake holders in almost real time basis.

The Chapter Chairperson, Mrs. Renuka B. Salwan informed that the Chapter’s website would help the Chapter in spreading the information about the chapters around the globe as well as keep our members informed about activities and achievements.

Information Technology in Public Relations

'Information Technology in Public Relations' is the subject of the presentations that Chandigarh Chapter of PRSI has lined up for you on Saturday, 30th September 2006 at 10:30am.

The venue is Sip'n'Dine Restaurant, Sector 7C, Madhya Marg, Chandigarh.

Mr. Vivek Atray, Director, Public Relations & Tourism, UT Administration, has very kindly consented to be the Chief Guest, who shall also officially launch the Chapter's website, www.prsi.in.

Mr. J.K. Menon, CEO, Interworld Commnet, shall share the information about the new developments in the field of Information Technology.

Mr. C.J. Singh, Managing Director, CorePR, shall apprise you with the newer facets of PR 2.0.

Please do confirm your participation on info@corepr.com

Public Service Broadcasting in the Age of Globalization

A recent publication of Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, Public Service Broadcasting in the Age of Globalization edited byIndrajit Banerjee & Kalinga Seneviratne (SG$35 / US$242006, 352pp ISBN 981-4136-01-8) can be ordered from AMIC.

This book was inspired by a project AMIC conducted for UNESCO in 2004-05 on Good Practices in Public Service Broadcasting.

Case studies and experiences of twelve countries are covered, giving a global perspective on the state of public service broadcasting in the age of globalization.

To order, http://www.amic.org.sg/publication/files/PSB_order.pdf

Punjab Police on image improvement drive

As a part of improving police-public interface, the Punjab Police has decided to publish a magazine as a part of its public relations endeavours, and highlight the people-friendly image of Punjab Police.
Director General of Police S.S. Virk said the monthly magazine will give the police's perspective, and showcase the literary, cultural and artistic talent of police officials and personnel.
The magazine also intends to inform the people about the police achievements in detecting important crime stories.
Congratulations to DGP S.S. Virk and his team of dynamic police officers for coming up with brilliant ideas.
However, there is a dire need that the Police everywhere gets sensitised to the finer nuances of human relations and improves its direct public interface with more humility, understanding, and compassion, instead of reacting with muscle power.

Information Technology in Public Relations

Information Technology has given an edge to the Public Relations practice, lending speed and varied reach. From e-mailing to Podcasting and Blogging, PR has come a long way trying its hands in this neo-media, what has also initiated discussion in the Blogspheres, about advent of PR 2.0.
To discuss and understand the potential that IT has in managing PR operations, the Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Society of India is organising a programme, "Role of IT in PR" on Saturday, 30th September 2006 at 10:15am at Chandigarh Press Club.
Mr. J.K. Menon, CEO, Interworld Comnet, and Mr. C.J. Singh, Managing Director, CorePR, shall make presentations on the theme.
We shall deeply appreciate a line in confirmation.
For more information, log on to www.prsi.in

ICCO Global Summit in New Delhi

Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI), the apex industry body representing public relations consultants in India, and a member of The International Communications Consultancy Organization (ICCO), is organising the ICCO Global Summit in New Delhi from 4 to 6 October 2006.

The ICCO Summit will explore what new skills and resources PR agencies will require in the future, if they are to take advantage of the new opportunities being created by the shift in influence from West to East, and, more importantly, if they are to remain relevant to their clients.

For registration and other details, please log on to : http://iccosummitindia.com/aboutsummit/individual_reg_new.asp

Accreditation for PR Practitioners

All of us want that the practice of public relations should be viewed as a bonafide profession, which its own body of knowledge, skills and abilities. If we do not demonstrate this exclusivity now, we risk forever to be equated either with the fixers or the liaison men, with the unprofessionals, and unethical practices of untrained so-called PR agents, tainting the very image of this practice. I shall like to reiterate the history of accreditation for PR practitioners in our country. It was way back in 1988 that Mr. K.S. Neelakandan, the then Director PR of Pfizer Limited, Mumbai, took the initiative and created India Foundation for PR Education & Research (IFPR). This was a registered as a trust in Mumbai, and the Board of Trustees included Mr. K.R. Hattangdi (Union Carbide), Mr. Anil Basu (Good Year), Ms. Ronjona Mukarji (Tata Steel), Mr. K.R. Singh (the then incoming national President of PRSI), Mr. C.V. Narasimha Reddi (Hyderabad), Mr. Farrrok Mulla, Mr. S. Bashiruddin (Osmania University), Mr. P.K. Akerkar (the then President Elect of IPRA), and Mr. J.M. Kaul, with Mr. Neelakandan as the convenor. The IFPR started a programme for DPR and APR which involved written examination, interview, and presentation of the case study. The first examination was conducted in 1988 in Mumbai, and yours truly, happened to top the list for APR examination at that time, and the first lot of APRs in the country. I think it was 15 or so PR practitioners at that time who had taken up the examination. The next year the number grew still further, as counsellors were appointed all over the country. I had the good fortune of being appointed the Counsellor for Chandigarh in 1989. A number of orientation programmes were also organised one of which was held in Kathmandu, where PR professionals from different countries also participated. This initiative however fizzled out as it could not sustain itself. The proposed effort of PRCI now should not meet the same fate, and considering the growing PR activity in the region, we should not have much of a difficulty in getting corporate support. I suggest the formation of IIPR, as an independent body with representatives from different societies like PRCI, PRSI, IPRA, PRCAI, and ABCI, who should act as the study centres to prepare those PR practitioners who are willing to take up the APR examination.The detailed recommendations made to Mr.K.Srinivasan, who is heading the expert panel for establishing such an institute for accreditation, can be downloaded from www.prsi.in/publications.html.

Chandigarh Public Relations Department goes online

Public Relations Department of UT Chandigarh has gone on line with its website www.chdpr.gov.in. The website has links to all major national & international media, information regarding Right to Information and information about upcoming events in the city.

The credit of course goes to the dedicated team of officers in the UT Administration including Mr. Krishan Mohan, Secretary Public Relations, and the IT-savvy dynamic Mr. Vivek Atray who has joined the Chandigarh Administration as Director Public Relations & Tourism, after his successful stint as Director IT.

IT is an important technology component of the Public Relations practice today, and surely, this would further help in speeding up the process of delivery of news while giving access to the media to the important information about the Administration.

Getting a Bad Name for PR Profession?

For long the PR professionals have been cribbing about the bad name that the unprofessional, untrained, and unscrupulous elements have been bringing to the PR practice in the country. It is high time that the PR practitioners get together and do some PR for PR profession, especially when the MNCs and big corporates venturing into the Indian territory, go looking for the PR firms.

The reputation of the PR professionals is at stake because no organised attempt has been made to put in place a proper system for regulating the education and training in PR, setting the standards for best practices in PR, and an accreditation system.

Long time back, Mr. K.S. Neelakandan of Pfizer in Mumbai and several other PR professionals had set up the India Foundation for PR Education & Training. It was the most commendable initiative that fizzled out after about 4/5 years of active work in which all-India level examination was conducted for freshers and the practising professionals went in for Associate Fellowship in PR. A large number of publications, research papers, and case studies were also published by the IFPR, which was promoted by the Public Relations Society of India.

It is time to revive it. It is time to strictly adhere to the norms of PR practice and education, and evolve strict entry norms into professional bodies with a certification/accreditation procedure.

I invite all the like-minded PR practitioners to Chandigarh for a brain-storming session to evolve the system that can strengthen the PR practice in the country.

PRSI Chandigarh Chapter goes on-line

Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Society of India has gone on-line. This is perhaps the second chapter in India to have net presence after PRSI Chennai.

Over the past one month, the trial period has greatly improved interactivity amongst the members, keeping them in touch with each other, besides serving as a storehouse of information about the Chapter and PRSI, with important links to various other online resources, says Chapter Chairperson, Renuka B. Salwan.

It is a simple website that would be gradually upgraded once the entire information has been collated.

Log on to www.prsi.in for more information on PRSI and Chandigarh Chapter activities.

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