PRSI Jaipur Chapter Promotes Social Values and Environmental Awareness Through Photo Contest

Jaipur, October 14: The Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), Jaipur Chapter, organized a photo contest award ceremony and tree-planting campaign under the theme “Extend a Hand, Hug, and Touch Feet” at Vedic PG College, Mansarovar. This event, aimed at raising environmental awareness and fostering social harmony, was a part of the ongoing celebrations of World Public Relations Day.

The contest, which began earlier this year, invited submissions from across India. Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Manju Baghmar, along with Prof. Sudhi Rajeev, Vice Chancellor of Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication, felicitated the winners with awards and certificates.

Importance of Social and Ethical Values Highlighted by Manju Baghmar

Addressing the audience, Dr. Manju Baghmar emphasized the growing distance from ethical values in modern society. She pointed out that many people hesitate to touch the feet of their elders or extend a helping hand, even though gestures like these are vital for maintaining a sense of belonging and community. Baghmar praised PRSI Jaipur Chapter for organizing such a meaningful and timely photography competition and emphasized the need to inculcate moral values in children and society at large.

“We need to imbibe the values of India’s rich culture, which can guide us and help future generations appreciate the importance of respect and mutual support,” Baghmar added.

Social Media’s Impact on Human Connections Discussed by Prof. Sudhi Rajeev

Prof. Sudhi Rajeev shared her insights on how social media has altered human interactions. “In a world dominated by followers and virtual friends, many people find themselves lonely and disconnected in real life. Extending a hand of friendship or offering a simple hug can have a transformative impact,” Rajeev said. She also stressed the importance of respecting elders, as blessings from them contribute positively to one’s life.

She noted that events like these help shift mindsets, keeping Indian culture alive and relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Award-Winning Participants of the Photography Contest

The photography contest saw enthusiastic participation from across the country. The winners were as follows:

• First Prize: Prabha Gurjar (Jaipur)
• Second Prize: Agroneel Mandal (Santiniketan, West Bengal)
• Third Prize: Kirti Kanwar (Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication)
• Special Mention Awards: Anisha Kamboj (Banasthali Vidyapith), Satish Meena (Vedic Kanya College, Jaipur), Nakul Chinkara (Dwarka, Delhi)

In addition, certificates were presented to 40 other selected participants.

Tree-Planting Campaign in Honor of Mothers

The event also featured a tree-planting campaign titled “A Tree in the Name of Mother,” where dignitaries, including Dr. Manju Baghmar, Prof. Sudhi Rajeev, and other esteemed guests, planted saplings in the premises of Vedic PG College. This initiative served as a symbolic gesture to promote environmental preservation and honor the nurturing spirit of mothers.

The event was graced by other prominent figures, including PRSI Jaipur Chapter President Mr. Virendra Parikh, former president Mr. Kalyan Kothari, coordinator Mr. Ashish Bakshi, and Director of Vedic PG College, Ms. Medha Samvedi.

PRSI Jaipur Chapter’s innovative initiative combined environmental consciousness with the promotion of ethical and cultural values, highlighting the relevance of public relations in fostering societal goodwill and environmental responsibility.

Media Must Uphold Its Credibility: Afridi 
Literature Award to Be Launched in Talwar’s Memory

Jaipur, October 14: A seminar on the theme “Media: From Where to Where” was organized on Sunday at Pink City Press Club, Jaipur, in memory of senior journalist and author Ish Madhu Talwar, who was also the General Secretary of the Progressive Writers’ Association, Rajasthan, on his birth anniversary.

In his keynote address, senior journalist, poet, and guest faculty at Haridev Joshi University of Journalism and Mass Communication, Tribhuvan, highlighted that journalism is a challenging and risky profession. “During the freedom movement, journalists fulfilled their responsibilities despite significant personal sacrifices. Today, journalism remains just as essential, empowering us with a sense of duty,” he said. Tribhuvan also noted that Talwar connected people through fearless and impartial journalism.

Presiding over the event, senior satirist and acting president of the Progressive Writers’ Association, Rajasthan, Farooq Afridi, expressed concern about the current state of media credibility. “The country is passing through a transitional phase, and it is crucial for the media to maintain its trustworthiness. Only a few media persons and newspapers are playing the role of a people’s ombudsman. The media needs to be more vigilant about the growing hardships of the common man,” he stated. Afridi further added that the media today faces allegations of being too aligned with power, which poses a danger to democracy. Both print and electronic media are in a concerning state, and for the media to be truly people-centric, the public must take a stand.

Afridi praised Ish Madhu Talwar as both a distinguished journalist and a literary figure. “Talwar’s language was rich, and he laid the foundation of the Jan Sahitya Utsav, bringing writers from India and abroad into the movement to free literature from commercialism,” he said.

Ish Madhu Smriti Shakuntalam Award announced by Premchand Gandhi and Dr Anish Talwar

Senior poet Premchand Gandhi and Talwar’s son, Dr. Anish Talwar, announced that the Bharatendu Sahitya Sansthan would be revived and a ₹21,000 Ish Madhu Smriti Shakuntalam Award will be instituted in his memory. The seminar was moderated by journalist Sunita Chaturvedi, with insights shared by Sawai Singh, journalist Roshanlal Sharma, and Rishikesh Rajoriya. A large number of journalists, writers, artists, and distinguished citizens attended the event.