BHUBANESWAR: KIIT School of Mass Communication organised its first Public Relations Summit on the theme ‘Public Relations: Telling Your Own Story in a Dynamic World’ on its campus here Sunday.
Gracing the inaugural session as chief guest, Rana Yashwant, Group Managing Editor, India News, said, “A country is functional only when the citizens have different opinions and understanding. Quality and skill is required to have a future in public relations.”
Chief Speaker Amarjyoti Mahapatra, Chairman, PRSI, Bhubaneswar Chapter, discussed the role of public relations in ancient era. The present scenarios of Public Relations and Mass Communication have changed so far with respect to information technology. He also explained the popular mantra- ‘Accept the change, Adapt and innovate.’
Giving his presidential address, Hrushikesh Mohanty, VC, KIIT Deemed to be University, encouraged the students to make their own stories that will set examples. He wished the students to meet their goals by utilising opportunities wisely.
Addressing the gathering, Himansu Sekhar Khatua, CEO, School of Mass Communication, lauded the efforts of his team to organise such a vibrant event. He announced the Public Relations Summit to be the annual event of the school which will be organised on the eve of the National Public Relations Day.
The speakers for the plenary session were Jyoti Prakash Mishra, Chief Public Relations Officer, East Coast Railway; Santanu Rath, Director, Personnel, Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd.; and Prashant Kumar Hota, Executive Vice-President, Group Head CSR, Education & Sustainability Head, Odisha Corporate Communications, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd.
Mishra pointed out different aspects of PR activities of Indian Railways. Rath recounted the story of his involvement in restoration of power in the Phailin-hit districts of Odisha in 2013. However, Hota narrated his own story on his struggle to get a space to be listened. The speakers also answered several queries of the participants by providing real life examples.
The plenary session was moderated by V. R. Raju, PR Consultant, GRIDCO, Odisha. More than hundred students and faculty members from the journalism and mass communication departments of Utkal University, Ravenshaw University, Berhampur University, Birla Global University and other affiliated colleges participated the event.