A New Chapter in Public Relations: Grand Inauguration of ‘National PR Conclave–2025’ at CCL Headquarters

The National PR Conclave–2025, organized by Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), was inaugurated today at the Gangotri Convention Centre, CCL Headquarters, Ranchi. The two-day event marks a major milestone in advancing dialogue, trust, and innovation within the ever-evolving field of public relations.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Vinay Ranjan, Director (HR), Coal India Limited (CIL), as the Chief Guest. The event witnessed the presence of eminent personalities including renowned filmmaker and ad guru Prahlad Kakkar, veteran journalist Padma Shri Balbir Dutt, Nilendu Kumar Singh, CMD, CCL, Satish Jha, CMD, ECL, Pawan Kumar Mishra, Director (Finance), Harsh Nath Mishra, Director (Personnel), Shankar Nagachari, Director (Technical–P&P), Pankaj Kumar, CVO, K.G. Suresh, Director, Indian Habitat Centre, Dr. Surbhi Dahiya, HOD (MBS), IIMC, and Devvrat Singh, HOD, CUJ.

The conclave also saw enthusiastic participation from PR professionals, officials of Coal India subsidiaries, public sector enterprises, media representatives, and students from across India.

The inaugural session began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, presentation of mementos, and the rendition of Coal India’s corporate song, followed by a Ganesh Vandana performed by children. A short film titled “Khaamosh”, produced by CCL’s Corporate Communications Department, was screened — depicting the evolving role of PR in the digital era.

Addressing the gathering, Vinay Ranjan congratulated CCL for organizing the conclave, calling it “a matter of pride for the entire Coal India family.” He emphasized the importance of strategic storytelling to counter negative narratives and highlighted the success of the JSSPS initiative, a joint effort between CCL and the Government of Jharkhand.

Satish Jha, CMD, ECL, underlined the difference between PR and advertising, noting, “While one builds relationships, the other fosters trust. Honest communication, empathy, and strategy together create a strong corporate reputation.”

In his address, Nilendu Kumar Singh, CMD, CCL, stated that “Success is built on partnership and communication. In the age of Artificial Intelligence, information exchange has become even more critical. True communication happens when what is said is also understood.”

Delivering the keynote address, Prahlad Kakkar inspired participants with the message “Victory lies beyond fear.” He emphasized that an organization’s true identity is defined not just by its work, but by the trust it builds through consistent and credible public relations. He also encouraged organizations to engage with the youth and involve them in strategic decision-making to ensure a progressive and inclusive future.

K.G. Suresh, Director, Indian Habitat Centre, underscored the importance of quick and responsible communication in today’s media landscape. Through short video presentations, he illustrated how emotional and creative storytelling transcends linguistic and geographical boundaries, while reiterating the importance of factual accuracy in the era of AI-driven communication.

Dr. Surbhi Dahiya, HOD (MBS), IIMC, highlighted the importance of understanding target audiences and effectively using industry sources, while Devvrat Singh, HOD, CUJ, spoke about the emerging career opportunities in communication and public relations.

Alok Kumar Gupta, HOD, Corporate Communications & PR, CCL, remarked that the conclave served as a “confluence of ideas” and would be remembered as a milestone event that provided new perspectives and directions to the PR community.

The conclave witnessed active participation from faculty members and students of various universities and colleges across Ranchi, who appreciated CCL for providing an insightful and engaging platform to explore the evolving dimensions of public relations in the digital era.

This landmark initiative — the first-ever National PR Conclave organized by CCL in Jharkhand — is envisioned to redefine the landscape of public relations and inspire a new generation of communicators dedicated to building trust, engagement, and authenticity.