50 chapters of Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) including Guwahati observed the World Communicators Day-2021 on Thursday through various activities and programmes. In an attempt to focus on the contribution of communicators and the importance of communication discipline and profession, PRCI initiated World Communicators Day to be celebrated on October 28, the day the world’s first press release was shot out by Ivy Lee in the USA, following a Pennsylvania Railroad train accident tragically killing 50 people. Ivy Lee, who was working with Pennsylvania Railroad at the time, urged the company to send reporters to the scene of the accident and report the facts. Ivy Lee, later in life, emerged as the “Father of Public Relations.”
A webinar on the theme “Communication for a better world” was organised jointly by PRCI Guwahati Chapter and Young Communicators Club (YCC), Asian Institute of Management (AIMT) Guwahati.
Speaking at the webinar, LR Sailo, Director, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) North East Campus Aizawl, focussed on clarity and honesty while communicating to various publics of the organisation. Trikalagya Rabha, Chairman, Railway Recruitment Board, Secunderabad and former CPRO, NF Railway, said, “Ethics and honesty occupy the top slots in the priority of the PR practitioner and it rates much above one’s knowledge and skills.” Nurul Laskar, Chairperson, PRCI, Guwahati Chapter, highlighted the importance of improvisation in the communication process i.e. doing one’s best with the resources and tools available at hand.
Subhankar Banerjee, General Secretary, PRCI Guwahati Chapter, gave a report of the 15th Global Communication Conclave that was organised by PRCI in Goa during September 18-19, 2021. While PRCI Guwahati was adjudged as the best chapter and most active chapter of the country, all together Guwahati Chapter bagged seven awards at the Conclave. Subhankar Banerjee himself was given the Chanakya Award for the “Social Media Person of the Year (2021).”Subhankar Banerjee was congratulated for winning another award, “IRPRA 2021 40 under 40” given for best regional network practice by his Public Relations firm, “Seven Sense Communication.”
A large number of students from AIMT Guwahati, led by mentor Sumi Sarma, participated in the webinar. The event concluded with a vote of thanks offered by Mumeninaz Zaman, Vice Chairperson, PRCI, Guwahati Chapter.
