Since the last post on the subject of Racial Attacks on Indian Students a few weeks ago, I have read and watched several news reports across a range of newspapers and news channels (News reports from ibnlive, ndtv, ToI), quoting Australian politicos and officials make the ‘right noises’ on racial intolerance and protecting Indian students. Meanwhile, we kept getting more news on students being targeted, students forming vigilante squads and local Indian citizens forming support groups.
Somehow I failed to find a single report on apprehending the culprits and locking them away! Instead, I saw demonstrating Click to Read More
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Will tough talk be sufficient?
Friday evening, I saw in horror as a leading news channel (www.ibnlive.com) carry the story of racially motivated attacks against 4 Indian students in the last few days with 2 struggling for life. According to the news report, at least 70 students have been targets of racial attacks in the last 12 months alone!
Whilst, these actions do not reflect Australians in general and I have heard, seen and experienced their warmth, openness and friendship, actions of a few misguided individuals have to be condemned in the strongest possible manner. These bigots have to be apprehended, locked and the keys thrown away!
Sensing the public anguish, Dr. Manmohan Singh spoke to his Aussie counterpart besides summoning the Australian High Commissioner to the MEA to register our anguish. Stung by the tough talk, ‘racism intolerance’ motive was finally acknowledged by the Aussie Govt after being in denial. It has now assured strictest possible action against those Click to Read More
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Becomes first international brand to establish its presence in Bangladesh
I am writing to share some good news with you about Genesis Burson-Marsteller. This is not an advert for the firm but just information that would be useful to fellow public relations and marketing professionals.
Title: Concito PR is officially launched in Dhaka in May’09
Two weeks back we launched Concito PR www.concitopr.com. Concito PR is our exclusive affiliate for Bangladesh and a pioneer firm in the communication space in that country. It is an independent company owned by Cogito Marketing Solutions, which was set up three years back by Mehboob Chowdhury, the former Marketing Director of Grameen Phone, the number one mobile operator in Bangladesh. Mehboob is widely credited with taking Grameen Click to Read More
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When I asked Harold Burson, founding Chairman of Burson-Marsteller, “what according to him was good public relations?” He responded instantly, “letting your good work speak for itself”
I am reminded of his words as I digest the results of our just concluded election. People have overwhelmingly voted the Congress and the UPA to power.
The people of India - young, old, urban and rural have spoken and their message is loud and clear - Perform or Perish: good governance and development will be rewarded; the politics of positioning, caste, religion, etc. etc. will be rejected.
Obama’s “YES, WE CAN” promised a government that would work for its citizens - and the rest is history. It was the “Aam Aadmi” that brought Congress to power last time. Some state Chief Ministers have been rewarded with a second and third term. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure this out! People in India and around the world want their government to deliver to them instead of indulging in politics of hate and Click to Read More
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Defining social interaction in civilized societies begins with public relations; a natural, recurrent theme running through timeless human engagements in the context of social groups. Examine the best managed bygone civilizations and we find elements of contemporary PR practice; information, persuasion, reconciliation and co-operation.
India also has a legacy of varied public relations approach evident in the many phases of building an all India empire in the passage of history. From the precision of Chanakya’s social messaging to consolidate the vast realms of emperor Ashoka to the subtle public campaigns of the formidable foreign rulers, the Mughals and Akbar’s visionary attempts to reconcile the majority.
Post independence public relations in India essentially became an appendage to the humungous government run PSUs and its main aim was to highlight the ‘achievements’ of these giant enterprises run by bureaucrats. It was in this era of socialist economy that Indian PR came to be viewed mainly as a propaganda machinery and “PR” meant fostering Click to Read More
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