Army PROs should connect with common public to earn their faith in Defence: Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain
New Delhi: “Our job entails not only operations, but also how we convey and disseminate information to the public”, said Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain while addressing the Valedictory Function of a two-week Media Communication Course organized by Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) for 37 Public Relation Officers (PROs) of DPR, MoD. Additional Director General (Administration) Shri K. Satish Namboodiripad, Course Director, Short Term Course, Prof. (Dr.) Rajesh Kumar, Dean (Academic) Prof. Govind Singh and Dean (Student Welfare) Prof. Pramod Kumar were also present. On this occasion Virtual certificates were awarded to 37 PROs of DPR, MoD who participated in the short-term course.
According to Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain, having friends in the media is the greatest approach to handle the media. However, the PROs should be well-versed in their respective fields in terms of geography, culture, and so on. Best information comes when you reach out to it, and it should flow in a structured manner.
He said, “I recommend structured media education for optimal development and regard IIMC to be a communication centre of excellence. He advised the PROs to be more involved with the public in order to keep the public’s faith in security alive.” He shared his experience, saying that he had done roughly 35 “Aawam Sunvayi” meetings where he mingled with the public and media.
During the Valedictory Function, he urged people to avoid using the term “martyr,” instead using the phrase “soldier is killed in action,” which is also used in our profession.
Additional Director General (Administration) Shri K. Satish Namboodiripad welcomed Lt Gen (Retd) Syed Ata Hasnain at the Valedictory Function of a two- week Media Communication Course. He said, the role of communicator has become increasingly tough due to technological advancements and the potential to reach a big audience.
The programme was moderated by Course Coordinator, Vishnupriya Pandey and Dean (Student Welfare) Prof. Pramod Kumar proposed a vote of thanks. It is to be noted that the IIMC organises short term training courses on media and communication every year. Officers from Captain to Brigadier level participate in these courses. Due to COVID-19, this training has been imparted online this year.