Next All-India PR Conference in Chandigarh

The PR fraternity is requested to keep the next December free for the Public Relations Conference which has been awarded to the Chandigarh Chapter. 

As we shall keep you updated through this Blog on the developments as the preparations for the Conference proceed, we assure every participant a grand memorable experience in 'the city beautiful'.

Already, the three state governments i.e. Panjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh, and union territory of Chandigarh have expressed their solidarity and support to the Conference, and hopefully we shall have participants and speakers from the South East Asia region. 

We invite all the Public Relations practitioners to send in their suggestions to make the program more meaningful. 

The Chapter has already had a couple of meetings with the Directors of Public Relations of various state governments, as well as within the Chapter, and the planning is afoot at a fast pace. 

Depending upon the response, we intend to have a pre-conference workshop session to be conducted by an international faculty, besides the pre- and post-conference tours to nearby hill stations. 

Chandigarh is linked with the rest of India with six available flights, fast train connections, and express highway from Delhi. 

Looking forward to your arrival to contribute to the knowledge bank of the PR profession.

Best Programmes Award for Chandigarh Chapter of PRSI

The Chandigarh Chapter of Public Relations Society of India received "The Best Programmes Award" for the year 2008 at the recently concluded 30th PRSI National PR Conference at Guwahati from 11-13 December 2008.

Mr.V.P.Sharma,Jt.Director(PR),BBMB & Chairman,Chandigarh Chapter,PRSI and Renuka B.Salwan,Dy Director,Bureau of Indian Standards & past chairperson of the chapter, who attended the Conference, received the award on behalf of Chandigarh Chapter.

The current Chapter Chair, Mr. V.P. Sharma, Joint Director Public Relations with Bhakra Beas Management Board, was a happy man, as he received two awards on behalf of his organisation, which received the “Best Corporate Film" and also the "Best Corporate Brochure" awards at the PR Conference.

Our heartiest congratulations to all those who contributed extensively in keeping the Chapter active through their participation.

Mr. Sanat Lahiri is no more

Another stalwart of Public Relations, Mr. Sanat Lahari, who held the reins of PRSI in 1974, has passed away.  He left for his Heavenly Abode on the same day, i.e. 7th October 2008, the day we lost Mr. K.R. Singh.  Unfortunately, I learnt about it only now through Ms Aditi Syam who was informed by Mr. J.M. Kaul from Kolkata.  

Mr. Sanat Lahiri has also been the past President of IPRA, and served TISCO Ltd as Director Public Relations.  He was member of the PR sub-committee in Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and was the visiting professor of Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta.  

He has also been in the Government of India's Advisory Board on Communication and Broadcasting, as also in the Committee on PR and Publicity in Public Undertakings; Consultant on the UN Economic Committee, Asia and Far East on Communications.  

In his career he has also served Dunlop India Limited.

May his soul rest in peace. 

Desh Sewa Rattan Award for Renuka Salwan

It is a matter of great pride for PR fraternity that one of our active PR practitioner, Ms Renuka Salwan, Deputy Director Public Relations, Bureau of Indian Standards, Chandigarh, and immediate Past Chairperson of PRSI Chandigarh Chapter, has been conferred the Desh Sewa Rattan Award yesterday at a function in Ludhiana. 

A four-decade old NGO, Shaheed Memorial Sewa Society at Ludhiana, conferred the award on eight women who have contributed to the society through their commitment and dedication in their field of work. 

Renuka Salwan indeed is a dynamic leader with determination and resolve, and as a professional has contributed immensely in generating awareness about the safety and standardisation of consumer products. 

We wish her many more winning innings.