Naresh Kumar Memorial Lecture series starts with Rich Tributes to Great Communicator !

New Delhi, February 24: Inaugural edition of “Late Sh. Naresh Kumar Memorial Lecture Series”, organized virtually by Public Relations Society Delhi, earlier this week with rich tributes by Mr. R. P. Singh, former CMD, PowerGrid Corpn. of India.  Former head of the Maharatna PSU, recollected the role of late Naresh Kumar in shaping up a vibrant PR team and carrying organization’s messages efficiently far and wide. Mr. Singh also highlighted the responsibility of PR in the fast-evolving communication technology. Mr. Naresh was the Sr. GM (Corp. Comm.) at PGIL when he lost his fight to Covid-19 generated complications late last year.

“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 Mr. R.P. Singh at the opening event. The title of the virtually held seminar was “Revisiting Communication Strategies in Disruptive Situations”.

Elaborating upon the role of PR in this dynamic age, Mr. Singh said, “PR department in an organization 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 Powergrid because of active PR lead by late Shri 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 led to the laying of the largest transmission system in the country.”  Mr. Singh asked PR professionals to mobilize 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 Shri Naresh Kumar, former Sr. GM of Powergrid (Corporate Communications), he said, “Naresh was widely acclaimed in the PR industry. I feel a personal loss. He was always willing to go an extra mile in branding the organization, with a smile on his face. He had a vision for the society too.”

Earlier, Mr. GS Bawa, Secretary PRSD started the session with a one-minute silence for late Sh Naresh Kumar, and then PRSD Chairman Mr. SS Rao invited the chief guest. Mr. Shubham Saurav Singh delivered the vote of thanks.

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 organizations. It is associated with a large number of PSUs, Government, Public, and Private Sector Organizations. PRSD was established three years ago by PR fraternity of Delhi including late Mr. Naresh Kumar, who was the first Chairman of the PR body. It draws its strength from veteran members in the field of PR, advertisement and media.