COVID-19 pandemic showed us real worth of PSUs: SCOPE DG

New Delhi: "We did not even realise what the infection, that started from China, could mean for us, but as the country went into the world's biggest lockdown because of COVID-19 in March 2020, PSUs came forward and contributed remarkably," said Atul Sobti, Director General of SCOPE. Sobti was speaking at a webinar 'Live Interaction With SCOPE DG Atul Sobti' organised by Public Relations Society Delhi on Saturday.

Sharing figures about the contribution of PSUs, Sobti said that if we put together the total gross value produced by PSUs, it will surpass the total GDP of around 140 countries. Since the time of Independence, PSUs have been selflessly involved in nation-building. "Now is high time, we realise and take the word forward about what the real worth of PSUs is, what do they mean for a country like India," said Sobti.

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Sobti said that SCOPE also released a compendium on PSUs' contribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that SCOPE has the figure on how many public sector employees lost their lives during the disposal of life-saving and essential duties. The SCOPE DG appealed that communication professionals and PSUs come forward to burst this myth that PSUs are loss-making organisations. More than 170 PSUs out of 250 post profit, which is a good 70 percent, said Sobti.

Sobti highlighted that social media is coming up as the biggest change in terms of putting across a message to public. PSUs need to adapt to these new changes that are evident to come. Technology disruption is the new challenge before PSUs. PSU professionals and employees need to leave hesitation and take up learning and adaptation. PRSD Secretary GS Bawa opened the webinar session while Chairman SS Rao delivered the welcome note. Thank you note was delivered by Public Relations Society Delhi's Co-opted Member and Divya Himachal Media Group's vice-president (Marketing) Vipin Kharbanda. 

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