https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

How Public Relations Can Inculcate Nationalism

Dr. Ajit Pathak, President of the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) and an RTI activist on how PR can be used to strengthen processes and the country.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Have you ever thought about whether there is some difference between a journalist and a public relations professional, though both are part of the same media industry? Not many people would give it a thought, but Dr. Ajit Pathak, the first person to do a PhD in Public Relations, is different. He thinks differently, and it is reflected in his thought process. 

While a journalist is always in quest of more information about everything, a PR person sees everything positively, he says, adding, “I give an example of a half-empty glass to media students. Journalists would see it as half-empty, public relations people would see it as half-full, and an advertising professional would try to make people see why this half-filled glass of water is better than the full bottle of water kept beside it.”

THE RTI CRUSADER

How did you get into the RTI movement, and how did you write a book on the subject?

When RTI was passed by the Parliament in 2005, the government didn’t have the wherewithal to popularize it among the masses. As PSRI president, I felt it was our responsibility to make people aware of this Act. I approached RTI chief Wajahat Habibullah about what we wanted to do, and he was more than happy to take our assistance. We made programs for the common man, for the media, and for NGOs as well. I was working for the Indian Oil Corporation, but the Central Information Commission (CIC) sought my services as a media advisor to the CIC. I appeared in a number of radio and TV programs with Mr. Habibullah to inform people how this new act was transformational for the country. Earlier people used to be in the dark about necessary information. Now, they can seek any info by furnishing a fee of Rs 10 only.

FUTURE OF RTI 

Has RTI strengthened or weakened during the past 20 years? We have already come far from where we started. But, it is human nature. Officials and politicians don’t wish to part with information, and the common man wants full transparency. All political parties are unanimous on not parting with information about themselves. Mr. Habibullah was very clear on that. He was a strong advocate of transparency. The more information you put on the website, the better will be for people and the government. 

I still recall that in the early days of RTI, one person had filed 800 RTI applications with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). That made us sit and take note of the possibility of misuse of the facility. Someone can harass the government at a cost of Rs 10 only. The process evolved over the years, and it’s getting strengthened over the years. 

ROLE OF PR’s ROLE

Gradually, top management of companies and corporations have recognized the role of PR in the dissemination of positive information about their enterprise. Now, PR personnel are being invited to the topmost meetings so that they remain aligned with the policies and decisions of the company at every step. 


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
SAIL resized
SAIL Bags 'Star Performer' Award from EEPC for Export Excellence During Pandemic Years - Check Here To Know More
NFL _ National Fertilizers Limited
National Fertilizers Ltd Faces Rs. 94.84 Crore Tax Demand Over GST Refunds
Screenshot 2025-05-31 204103
PM Modi Launches Major Thermal Power Projects in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh - Check All Details
IRCON
IRCON Bags Rs. 1,068 Crore Contract for Ganga Rail Bridge in Bihar - All Details Inside
retirement
3 Senior Executives to Retire from Key PSUs in India, P V Ravitej Concludes 38-year Long Journey With BPCL - All Details Inside
Rajiv Krishna IPS
Breaking: IPS Rajeev Krishna Appointed as Acting DGP of Uttar Pradesh, Becomes 5th Consecutive Officer in Acting Role - Know More About Him
Bihar Government-resized-IM
47 IAS Officers Reshuffled in Bihar Ahead of Polls, 17 Districts Get New DMs, 5 New Commissioners - Check Circular Here
PSUs
PSUs: IRS Anurag Prasad Repatriated Early for Promotion; IAS M Muthukumar Appointed Director (Finance) at BHAVINI
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
Modernising Governance: A Digital Transformation in Gangtok
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Abhishek Singh's SECRET: Vipassana, Anthropology & Smart Answer Writing | Video Interview 
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
From Gwalior to the Top 20: What Drove Finance Pro Madhav Agarwal to Crack UPSC CSE 2024 with AIR 16? | Exclusive
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
ANUBHAV SINGH UPSC IFS 2024
9 Years, 8 Attempts, 7 Failures: How Anubhav Singh Cracked UPSC IFS 2024 with AIR 3 Against All Odds | Exclusive
Anubhav Singh’s inspiring journey to UPSC IFS Rank 3 showcases relentless perseverance, strategic preparation,...
Jogender Sihag
“I Cleared UPSC, But My Grandfather isn’t Here to Hear it,” Jogender Sihag, AIR 521, UPSC CSE 2024
"Life is short; make the most of it, whether in civil service or any other field. Just have a clear vision...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-28 at 18.56
Didn’t Clear UPSC But Found Something Greater: A Story That Will Change How You See Success
She left a top finance job for UPSC, did not clear but built a thriving wellness brand instead. Veda's...
Social Media
parveen kaswan elephant
Elephant Outsmarts Electric Fence! IFS Parveen Kaswan Shares Incredible Video!
In the now-viral 51-second clip, the intelligent giant approaches a wooden pole supporting high-voltage...
UPSC Latest IAS IPS IFS
UPSC CSE Prelims 2025 Tomorrow: ICLS Officer Altap Shaikh Shares Last-Minute Motivation for Aspirants
His five-post thread offers encouragement, practical advice, and emotional support - not just for those...
Anupam Sharma IFS
#BoycottTurkey: IFS Officer Anupam Sharma Sparks Nationalist Call to Action
IFS Sharma urged citizens to avoid Turkish agricultural imports
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SAIL resized
SAIL Bags 'Star Performer' Award from EEPC for Export Excellence During Pandemic Years - Check Here To Know More
NFL _ National Fertilizers Limited
National Fertilizers Ltd Faces Rs. 94.84 Crore Tax Demand Over GST Refunds
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IAS Tushar G Nikhare
IMG-20250523-WA0036
Madhav Agarwal UPSC
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT