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.

Ravi Dara is no more

Many of us in the PR field would have heard her name or met with her at various PR fora. An energetic lady, and a great person that she was, was shot dead in her 19th floor room in Hotel Taj. I, who had known her so closely for the last nearly two decades, deeply grieve this loss.  And the grief is aggravated by the unprecedented mayhem that Mumbai has faced at the hands of terrorists, shattering lives of hundreds of families around the globe who lost their nears and dears. 

May her soul rest in peace. 

Remembering KR

I met Mr K.R. Singh - Kanwar Rajendra Singh to be exact - at the national council meeting of PRSI in 1989 and was greatly impressed by his clarity of thoughts and articulation. He was a multifaceted personality who could interact with anyone and everyone with ease and could discuss with you on any subject, whether it is the kind of wine he was drinking or the fish curry or the Indian diplomacy.
And I remember in 1991, he was the first sitting President of PRSI who agreed to visit the Chandigarh Chapter and address the members. I had gone to pick him up in a borrowed Ford from a friend, and the moment he was in till the time we got down at the hotel, I was better informed about the Ford's history and car's attributes.
KR was a respected journalist, having started his career as a staff correspondent of The Times of India. Later he was with Hindustan Times as Chief Reporter, and later published an English tabloid from Mumbai, 'The Daily' for five years.
He moved to corporate communication after joining IBM and also served as President of Birla Engineering Services, and later of Birla Medical Technologies. He was on the board of directors of three Birla companies for several years.
He was chairman and managing director of a Kirloskar Group company engaged in setting up of cancer treatment facilities in India.
He was the man in a hurry, but would enjoy every moment of his life. He would spend hours with his friends from PR fraternity till late evening, and one could find him up early in the morning ready for the day ahead.
The leadership he provided to PRSI, and the India Foundation for PR Education and Research, that gave me the opportunity to interact with him quite frequently, had been exceptionally memorable golden moments that I cherish so fondly today.
CJ

A legend passes away

The man full of verve, wit, and smiles...the legendary communicator...the former National President of Public Relations Society of India, Mr.K.R. Singh, passed away yesterday after a cardiac arrest. He leaves a deep chasm in every heart who knew him personally. His contribution to the PR profession had been unmatched...and we shall miss him.
We pray for peace of the great departed soul, and convey our heartfelt condolences to all nears and dears. CJ