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
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
scam
‘Hello, This is IPS Officer Speaking…’: 9th-Pass Youth Tricks Cops in Three States with Fake Voice Scam
Screenshot 2025-07-18 214334
L&T Chairman Mr. S.N. Subrahmanyan’s FY25 Remuneration Jumps Nearly 50% to Rs. 76.25 Crore!
bureaucracy news
Appointments Update: IRS Kommisetty Murlidhar to Join Andhra Govt; Jay Nath Yadav Inducted into IAS
Indian Overseas Bank (IOB)
Indian Overseas Bank Plans Rs. 4,000 Crore Fundraising via QIP; Net Profit Soars 76% in Q1 FY26
Paresh Saxena IPS
IPS Officer Dr Paresh Saxena Protests Empanelment Denial, Returns President’s Distinguished Service Medal
Screenshot 2025-07-18 212145
Chhattisgarh: CM Vishnu Deo Sai Unveils ‘Anjor Vision @ 2047’ - A Bold Roadmap for a Developed Future!
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
The Secret of The Secret – How To Make The Universe Conspire For You
AI 171 CRASH
AAIB Initial Probe In AI-171 Crash Questioned By Aviation Experts
Ravi Kapoor
Why Ex-IRS Officer Ravi Kapoor Walked Away from Power
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Bhavesh Royada
“People often don’t put in the effort required for exams of this level,” Bhavesh Royada
Bhavesh Royada left a stable engineering job to follow his passion for nature. Overcoming failures and...
WhatsApp Image 2025-07-14 at 15.58
The Economist Who Became an IFS Officer
How Abhimanyu Gahlaut balanced global economics and civil services dreams to crack UPSC with AIR 38
Disha Dwivedi UPSC
How Disha Dwivedi Cracked UPSC in Her Sixth Attempt with Unshakable Determination
Disha Dwivedi’s UPSC journey from five prelims failures to securing AIR 672 in 2024 showcases strategic...
Social Media
Screenshot 2025-07-18 203508
Majestic Tiger Rescue and Release in Sundarbans Captivates the Internet: IFS Susanta Nanda Shares Video On X
The video captures the tiger’s strength, agility, and instinct—a breathtaking sight as the big cat slices...
Standing Leopard
Leopard Stuns Internet by Standing on Two Legs Like a Meerkat
A rare video of a leopard standing on two legs in Kruger Park stuns viewers and goes viral across social...
G S Roshni
Kerala’s Fearless Forest Officer G.S. Roshni Rescues 16-Foot King Cobra with Bare Hands, Garners Praise & Critique
Beat Forest Officer G.S. Roshni’s first-ever king cobra rescue goes viral, earning her the title of ‘Green...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
SJVN
Leadership Continuity: Rajendra Prasad Goyal Given Additional Charge as Director (Finance) of SJVN Ltd- Know more about Him
government-of-haryana
Haryana Government Transfers 2 IPS, 13 HPS Officers in Major Police Reshuffle- Check Details
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
promila gupta
AI 171 CRASH
Ravi Kapoor
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT