The first annual meeting of KSMC PR Club was held on 31st July 2021, where the results of the First National-Level Press Release Writing Competition, organized by KSMC PR Club, were announced. The Investiture Ceremony for the new executive committee members was also held. The event, organized through an online platform, was graced by Prof. Himansu Sekhar Khatua, CEO, School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed to be University, Prof. Sapna Naik, Professor, Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Mysore, Mr. Ramendra Kumar, Former GM (PR) & CoC of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), and Mr. Sandeep Mishra, Group Editor, Odisha Bytes, Bhubaneswar. Participants from various institutes and universities across India, faculty members, students and alumni of KSMC attended the meeting.
In her welcome note, Ms Ankita Khanrah, a second-year student of Master of Communication and Journalism (Integrated) programme and moderator of the event, briefed about the School of Mass Communication and the KSMC PR Club. Ms. Aprajita Singhal, Joint Secretary of the Club introduced the guest speakers. The guests helped the students with useful tips for writing a great press release and much more. Ms. Nidhi Nyari, President of KSMC PR Club announced the winners of the competition. Mr. Kushagr Gautam from Christ University, Ms. R. Sreelakshmi Menon from Dayananda Sagar University, and Ms. Anuska Guha from Future Media School bagged the first, second and third positions respectively.
Mr Charles Karanja Munderu, Secretary of KSMC PR Club presented the Annual Report. This was followed by an introduction of the new Executive Committee members for 2021-22. Ms. Priyanshi Tripathy was elected as the new President and Ms. M Snehanjali became the new Secretary. Ms. Shraddha and Ms. Baisakhi Mishra were elected as Vice President and Joint Secretary respectively. Mr. Charles Karanja Munderu, Ms. Aparajita Singhal and Ms. Ankita Khanrah were elected as new executive members, whereas Ms. Akankshya Patnaik, Ms Sushree Susmita Nayak and Ms Kathakali Dutta were selected as the executive members. Dr. Bidu Bhusan Dash, Dr. Anurag Sahu and Ms. Nidhi Nyari will contribute as ex-officio members.
Towards the end of the programme, Ms Nyari delivered a heart-warming farewell speech on completion of her tenure and handed over the responsibilities to the new president and invited her to deliver her vision for KSMC PR Club. The moderator Ms. Khanrah invited Ms. Nitali Johori in the presence of the esteemed guest to unveil the KSMC Gazette, a fortnightly prepared by the students as a part of the Participatory Media Project. On this occasion, Dr. Dash proposed to start a new club – KSMC Press Club and Prof. Khatua declared the commencement of the new club.
The newly elected Secretary, Ms. Snehanjali ended the programme by proposing a vote of thanks. The session had an overwhelming response from over 58 participants. Dr. Bidu Bhusan Dash, Course Coordinator, KSMC expressed his sincere gratitude. The event was a success with the active participation of faculty members and students of KSMC and other universities.