Amity University Rajasthan Celebrates National PR Day, Highlighting Public Relations as the Fifth Pillar of Democracy
Amity School of Communication, Amity University Rajasthan, commemorated National Public Relations Day with a thought-provoking event centred on the theme “Public Relations: Fifth Pillar of Democracy.”
The event commenced with a welcome address by Prof. (Dr.) Jayati Sharma, Director, ASCo & Head, Directorate of Alumni Affairs, wherein she emphasised the crucial role of Public Relations in fostering meaningful dialogue between institutions and society, enabling informed participation and inclusive development. Followed by the opening remarks of Hon’ble Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. (Dr.) G.K. Aseri, who stated that Public Relations acts as a vital pillar in strengthening democracy by ensuring transparent communication and empowering citizens at every level. Dr Ajit Pathak, National President, Public Relations Society of India, shared a special blessings message that added significance to the occasion.
The event was graced by eminent dignitaries, including Mr Manish Hooja, Director, Pay Secure Technology Pvt. Ltd., Payvault Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and STAR CPWEBHOSTING Pvt. Ltd.; Ms Kavita Joshi, Assistant Director, Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), Government of Rajasthan, Mr Jitendra Singh Bhati, CEO, People’s Awareness Network Society and AUR Alumnus and Mr Gajendra Singh Gurjar, Public Relations Officer, Jaipur Metro Rail.
A key highlight of the event was the panel discussion on “Participatory Communication Models for Sustainable Future: Community Engagement and Innovation in Democratic Context,” moderated by Dr Tanushri Mukherjee, the event's Coordinator and Associate Professor at the Amity School of Communication. The panellists emphasised the growing importance of participatory communication in addressing real-life issues, empowering communities—especially women—and enhancing public trust through transparent and inclusive engagement strategies. The discussions also shed light on the role of government communication initiatives, grassroots outreach programs, and digital platforms in bridging the gap between policy and people. Speakers highlighted the importance of interactive communication, community listening, and innovative campaigns in addressing societal challenges and countering misinformation.
The event further featured impactful student-led activities, including a PR campaign on voter awareness and a Nukkad Natak on “Digital Literacy: Creating Awareness about Cyber Fraud.” These performances effectively demonstrated how communication can drive social awareness and behavioural change at the community level. The celebration concluded with a prize distribution ceremony and a vote of thanks delivered by Mr Rajesh Sharma, Assistant Professor, ASCo.
The two-day event successfully provided a platform for knowledge exchange, skill development, and meaningful dialogue, reinforcing the role of Public Relations as a catalyst for social change and democratic empowerment.