Anushree Bhattacharya
Introduction
Do you know April 21st is recognised as which day in India, “Public Relations Day’, a day fully dedicated to acknowledge the crucial role of public relations (PR) for shaping communication in everyone’s life. If you think that only celebrities or MNCs need public relations then you are wrong my friend. Everyone needs a PR in their career for communicating on their behalf, for building their reputation, for managing their audiences and so on. PR always remains a behind-the-scenes profession, it’s a backbone of modern communication strategy, trust-building, and brand identity. This day not only talks about the legendary contributions of the legends PR professionals in the industry but also discusses the ethics, transparency, and the growing challenges of the field in the digital age.
History of the Day
The history of Public Relations Day in India is related to the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), which was established in 1958. The 21st April is known as the red-letter day in the Indian public relations profession because on this day PRSI held its first National Conference in Delhi and adopted the International Code of Ethics in 1968, from IPRA’s (International Public Relations Association) Code of Athens. Since then this day has been recognised as the National Public Relations Day to acknowledge their role and contribution in the profession. In 1986 under the supervision of Late Dr. C. V. Narasimha Reddi (president of PRSI), April 21st was officially declared as the National Public Relations Day.
Significance of Public Relations in Everyone’s life
Everybody’s think that the job of a public relations officer is just to manage the communication between an organization and its audience to build mutually beneficial relationships among them through press releases and media management and that’s it. But the actual job is way beyond that: it’s about understanding the public sentiment, managing both parties during any crisis, advocacy for the client, internal communication to maintain the positivity and motivates the workers, building a unique identity of the brand and maintain, gain and regain it continuously and so on.
For today’s age of information, where information is overloaded, instant and interactive, the need for authenticity, consistency, and communicating strategically has become more crucial than ever. PR professionals are the ones who craft the narratives, maintain transparency, and ensure that an organization’s values must align with its public image. Whether it’s maintaining a brand’s credibility during a crisis or amplifying a positive initiative, PR is an integral part of an organisation to perform all types of communication through which an organization is perceived and trusted among their public.
Theme of Public Relations Day 2025
Public Relations Day is celebrated with a unique theme every year. The theme for Public Relations Day 2025 is:
“Trust, Transparency, and Technology: The New Age of Public Relations.”
This highlights the modern-era of PR which is being reshaped by the digital platforms and technologies. The demand for datven (data-driven) strategies and ethical transparency is increasing day-by-day. The focus for this year is, how the PR professionals balance the traditional relationship-building strategies with new technologies tools along with AI and engage the audiences meaningfully.
Celebrations and Activities
Public Relations Day is celebrated across the nation with a range of activities, especially in university campuses offering the students to learn about the profession, especially the media and communication studies students through:
Panel Discussions – Here universities invite some eminent professionals from media houses, PR firms, and academics and they share their insights, journey and many more to intellect the students.
PR Awards and Recognition – The government sector like PRSI and PRSI chapters across India and some media institutes organise some events to honour different PR professionals for their notable contributions towards corporate, government, or social communication.
Workshops and Seminars – Universities can arrange some hands-on-training sessions for young PR professionals and students to equip them with industry-relevant skills for their better future.
Campaign Launches – Some organizations use this occasion to launch their internal or external PR campaigns that highlights their social responsibility, sustainability, or employee welfare.
Industry Visit – Universities can arrange some industry visits for the media and communication studies students to educate them about the industry works.
The Role of PR in Contemporary Society
Since the rise of internet and digital culture the PR working landscape has also transformed. Social media has blurred the basic line between personal and professional communication. Misinformation and fake news spreads like fire, and cancel culture (withdrawing support from someone over an incident on social media) destroys the brand identity overnight. In such a scenario, PR professionals are expected to act smartly, swiftly, ethically, and strategically to resolve the situation.
Moreover, the rise of influencer culture, citizen journalism, and user-generated content has complicated the whole communication ecosystem. That’s when a PR needed the most to guide the individual or organizations to stick to their values while responsive to the public opinion.
PR is now not just about reputation management, it is about relationship management, and community engagement. Whether it’s addressing any environmental concerns or showcasing harmony in diversity and supporting mental health challenges, PR gives voice to causes that matter in the society.
Career Prospects in PR
PR is a dynamic career path to choose, if you have the potential you can touch the sky here and if not then this choice is not for you. From corporate communications, public affairs to event management and media relations, the career scope is infinite. But you need to be consistent and must know how to work hard with smart tactics. There are many educational institutions that offer specialized courses in PR and strategic communication, and the PR industry itself is actively recruiting fresh minds who can blend creativity with analytics. So this can be your chance to change your career and be the mastermind of behind-the-scenes for everyone.
Conclusion
Public Relations Day is not only a celebration of this profession, it is a reminder of responsibility of the public trust. In a world where an individual’s perspective shapes reality, PR professionals still stand with the backbone of truth, trust, and technology. They are the invisible architects of reputation, the managers for crises, and the unsung storytellers who build the bridge for an organization and the society. The only profession who can make it all possible without being noticed.
(The writer is a master’s degree mass communication student at Central University of Jammu)
