The responsibility of PR is to reconnect people with cultural roots: RP Singh

New Delhi: The people of this country are fast losing their culture due to the negative effects of technology like the internet and media, so it is the responsibility of good public relations to reconnect the people with cultural roots, said RP Singh, former CMD of Power Grid on Sunday. Singh was speaking in the inaugural edition of the "Late Naresh Kumar Memorial Lecture Series" that was organised by the Public Relations Society Delhi (PRSD). The title of the virtually held seminar was "Revisiting Communication Strategies in Disruptive Situations."

Elaborating upon the role of PR in this dynamic age, he said, "PR department in an organisation has an important role to play and should communicate all positive news to society. Sound communication by PR through advocacy and a culture of discipline will bring change. I am finding that most Govt agencies are not able to communicate well with the public. We all should use the internet for a better way and not deteriorate cultural values."

"In Power Grid because of active PR lead by late Naresh Kumar, we became a third biggest brand in India after Railways and Telecom. In 1999, we approached each family member who were affected by transmission lines, this way we communicated very effectively to them which lead to the laying of the largest transmission system in the country."

Singh asked PR professionals to mobilise towards topics like deforestation, pollution and other national issues, rather than focusing on juicy news. "In times of elections when freebies like free electricity are promised to poor people, PR should explain to all that it is not sustainable and should make everyone accountable."

Expressing grief about the loss of Naresh Kumar, former Senior GM of Power Grid (Corporate Communications), he said, "Naresh was widely acclaimed in the PR industry. I feel a personal loss. He was always willing to go the extra mile in branding the organisation, with a smile on his face. He had a vision for the society too."

Earlier, PRSD's Secretary GS Bawa started the session with a one minute silence for late Naresh Kumar, and then SS Rao invited the chief guest.

Public Relations Society Delhi (PRSD) is a body of professionals with a vision to promote the recognition of public relations as a profession and its key role in the management of the business of organisations. It is associated with a large number of PSUs, Government, Public, and Private Sector Organisations. The society draws its strength from veteran members in the field of PR, advertisement, and media.

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