CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: On the occasion of National Public Relations Day, a well-organized and engaging event was held in the Department of Public Relations at MCU.
Several distinguished public relations officers shared their insights during the event and familiarized students with the nuances of the field.
Vice-Chancellor Vijay Manohar Tiwari addressed the gathering first, highlighting the role and coordination of CSR and PR in building a Developed India by 2047. He emphasized that networking is often more important than work itself. Referring to ancient times, he noted that thousands of students from distant regions used to come to learn from Chanakya. When they returned to their respective countries, any conspiracy against Magadh would be reported back to Chanakya by his disciples. He described this as a powerful example of public relations working for societal and governance welfare.
Speaking about the books gifted to guests, he recommended that everyone read them, including “Nachyo Bahut Gopal” by Amritlal Nagar, “Diwar Mein Khidki Rahti Hai” by Vinod Kumar Shukla, and a book based on the life of indentured laborers by Totaram Sanadhya. He also stressed the need to explore how students can better prepare themselves by engaging with PR professionals.
Amritesh Srivastava (NPCIL, Mumbai) presented a short film titled “Khushiyon Ki Script” to explain how CSR and PR together can effectively contribute to public welfare. He stated that PR cannot function without CSR, and CSR initiatives are difficult to advance without PR. Strengthening the nation requires empowering states, which in turn depends on the development of cities and villages. He emphasized the importance of dedication and speed in social responsibility initiatives. Sharing a success story, he spoke about a woman named Tara who, after receiving a free sewing machine and training, opened her own boutique in her village and now has designs popular even in countries like Australia. He also cited the example of a child from the Warli community who, with minimal support, progressed to secure a job at Google.
Manish Gautam (PIB, Bhopal) said that effectively communicating government policies to the right audience is a major responsibility. He urged students not to chase speed but to prioritize truth.
Vikram Rawat (NFL Vijaypur, Guna) emphasized that a PR officer’s vocabulary and communication skills improve through continuous learning. He added that any change made for public welfare should be visible. CSR efforts should be felt even before PR initiatives begin. He also mentioned MCU’s community radio, Radio Karmveer, and how it is being used to broadcast socially relevant programs.
Paras Pathak (Jindal Steel, Raigarh) described public relations as the art of building trust. He said PR now stands for “purposeful relations.” The true aim of CSR is to improve the lives of the last person in society, and it is PR’s responsibility to convey these stories effectively. If PR is strong but CSR is weak at the grassroots level, credibility will suffer. Therefore, effectively communicating CSR work to society is the core responsibility of PR.
Speakers noted that the trend of CSR and PR is evolving, with a growing focus on making people self-reliant. They advised students to create content but also understand context. Building a “trust infrastructure” is essential for development to be reflected not just in data but in real life.
They emphasized that behavior is more important than work itself, and even a smile has become a tool of public relations. The partnership between CSR and PR is strong and long-lasting, as both are incomplete without each other.
In different sessions, officials including Ashok Manwani, Ankita Das, Saurabh Pawar, Manoj Dwivedi, Amritanshi Joshi, Kirti Chaturvedi, Ayush Ojha, Abhay Karn, Aarti Srivastava, and Vibhor Sharma also shared their views.
The event began with a welcome address by Head of Department Dr. Pavitra Srivastava, who noted that while the day had been celebrated before, this was the first time so many officers had gathered together.
Students of the department presented a skit on disaster management and showcased advertisements created by them.
The guests also addressed queries during an interactive Q&A session.
The program was anchored by Dr. Jaya Surjani. Guests were welcomed by Prof. Sanjay Dwivedi and Dr. Avinash Vajpayee, while the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Deepika Saxena.
