Jatinder Vij to head HMT Ranibagh

Past Chairman of PRCI, Mr Jatinder Vij, who headed PR, HR, and lately the Skills Development, at HMT Ltd, Pinjore, has recently been posted to Uttranchal Pradesh at Ranibagh.

Jatinder who is an alumnus of Panjab University's School of Communication, has been chosen to another challenging assignment at Ranibagh, and we are sure, he would make a success of it...like always.

Though we at Chandigarh miss him, we are happy to have him there as an Ambassador of the city, represented by the open hand symbol designed by Le Corbusier, "Open to Give, Open to Receive".

Next Networking Opportunity for PR Professionals

Mr. B.N. Kumar, National President PRCI has informed about the preparations at Kolkata which are at full swing for the 10th Global Communication Conclave.  The team of PRCI Kolkata is working at a war footing to make it a success.

It is time for you to network with some of the leading communicators from across the country in the beautiful venue of Belvedere Park Club, Eastern Railway Officers Enclave, Kolkata.

PRCI has fixed the reasonable delegate fees in the following manner:

• PRCI members: Rs 3,000 each (Rs 1,000 extra for accompanying spouse)
• Non-PRCI members: Rs 4,000 each  (Rs 1,500 extra for accompanying spouse)
• Communication Students: Rs 1,000 each.

The delegate registration form cam be downloaded here.


The theme of the Conclave is: Digital Now – What Next .

PRCI will also present its signature Chanakya Awards to recognize the outstanding contribution of people in Corporate Services and Communication.

The organization will also induct professionals with exemplary performance into the coveted PR Hall of Fame and honour winners of Corporate Collateral Awards under a host of categories.

We all look forward to meet each other. Register now.

Arun Johar's Book on Environment on 12th October

Environment Minister Mr Prakash Javadekar releasing the book

Mr. Arun Kumar Bishnoi, who retired from Public Relations department Haryana, in October 2012, and is a member of Chandigarh Chapter of PRCI, has immersed himself completely in multifarious roles, as a Political Editor of popular Hindi daily newspaper, Dainik Palpal, as a guest faculty to mass communication departments at the Himachal Pradesh University Shimla and Panjab University, Chandigarh; and as a practising lawyer in the Panjab and Haryana High Court, besides advising the Bishnoi community.

Arun Johar

On 5th June 2015, his debut book on environment "363 Vriksh Mitron Kee Shahaadat" was released in Delhi by Union Environment Minister Mr Prakash Javadekar.  The English version is being released at Mukam (Bikaner) on 12th October, which also happens to be his birthday.

Our heartiest congratulations to him.

PR apex body launches water conservation campaign

PRCI launches #20plenty4water campaign
• Unique Gandhi Jayanti campaign for PM relief Fund 
• To create awareness about water crisis in villages
• And raise funds for water harvesting

In a unique Gandhi Jayanti Day  initiative, Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) -  the premier body of Public Relations, advertising, media, communication and HR professionals - has launched a nationwide drive called #20plenty4water  to have donations pooled in for water harvesting and conservation projects under the Prime Minister’s relief Fund.

The objective of the multi-media campaign, being launched through PRCI’s 20 plus pan-India chapters, is to appeal to people to donate just Rs 20 which is the average cost of a packaged drinking water bottle

“This being the festive season, we tend to spend on various luxuries and it is not difficult for us to set aside Rs 20, the cost of a bottle of water, to help our farmers and other drought hit people across India,” said B N Kumar, national president of PRCI.

PRCI Chairman Emeritus and Chief Mentor M B Jayaram said: “we appeal to people to donate Rs 20 each – the cost of a packaged water bottle – to the PM’s Relief Fund. It is something easy for us to do and anyone can do it. We can contribute at our individual levels and corporates can match the donation in the manner that they deem fit.”

PRCI is the national body of professionals drawn from public relations, advertising, media and HR, apart from academicians. PRCI also has a youth wing called Young Communicator Club (YCC), comprised of mass communication students.

PRCI has appealed to the Prime Minister to help spread the good word about the unique donation drive and utilize the money collected for water harvesting and conservation projects across various states.

The donations can be easily sent to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund by logging into
https://pmnrf.gov.in/payform.php 

Amit Roy is Chandigarh Chapter's Chairman for 2015-16

At the AGM held on 8th September at Sip'n'Dine Restaurant, the Chandigarh Chapter of PRCI has elected its new Executive Committee under the chairmansship of Mr. Amit Roy, a PR professional who is Founder and CEO of iCatchers.
Mr. Amit Roy had been a mainstream journalist for 12 years, having worked earlier with Indian Express and later with The Hindustan Times, from where he resigned in 2011 as Bureau Chief.  He joined DLF as head of corporate communication (north) and worked for two years before setting up his own PR agency, iCatchers. 

Other office bearers include 
Vice Chairman, Mr Priya Ranjan, Corporate Communication Head of Airtel
Secretary: Mr. Aditya, CEO, Manthan Communications 
Treasurer: Mr. Sudeep Rawat, CEO, Transfast PR 

Other members on the Executive 2015-16 include
Ms. Ritu Nag,Head, Media and Communications, Max Hospital.
Mr. Sanjay Mehta, founder and Web News Moderator for News Broadcast Factory;
Ms. Bhavneet Bhatti, Lecturer at School of Communication Studies, Panjab University; 
Mr. Sunil Sharma, CEO, The Catalysts PR & Productions
Mr. Gurjit Sodhi, Executive, Shaan PR

The AGM placed on record the contribution of Mr. Aneesh Bhanot, Chairman 2013-15 in consolidating the Chapter's activities, spearheading the membership drive, and introducing innovative interactive sessions. 

Mr. Amit Roy informed that the Chapter 

Getting the Best out of Your PR Agency

Chandigarh Chapter of PRCI organised an interactive session on 9th August at Chandigarh Press Club on “What do corporates look for when selecting a PR Agency’ 

The panelists included Mr. Priya Ranjan Vaid, Head, Public Relations, Internal Communication and CSR, Bharti Airtel Ltd, and Ms. Ritu Nag, Head, Media and Communications, Max Hospital, Mohali. 

The session was moderated by Chapter Chair Mr. Aneesh Bhanot while Vice President North Ms. Renuka Salwan talked about the latest initiatives of PRCI.

The panelists and participating professionals discussed the pros and cons of hiring a large, national or a boutique agency. 

Mr. Priya Ranjan Vaid and Ms Ritu Nag then explained criteria and focus areas a corporate should look for when hiring a PR Agency, besides discussing the appropriate time an organisation should opt for an external PR agency. 

According to Mr. Aneesh Bhanot, Chairman, PRCI Chandigarh Chapter,  “the session was highly informative and helped upgrade the knowledge and skills of the PR fraternity. It would help the PR industry to grow and develop further in the region in a structured, and professional manner.”

Digital Now. What Next?

The National Council of Public Relations Council of India has finalised the theme for the 10th Global PR Conclave, "Digital Now: What Next?"

Kolkata Chapter is hosting the Conclave in the third week of January 2016.  

So get ready to be there in large number. 

Please register your intent to participate so that we can confirm to the organisers.