Dr. Shikha Mishra
Recognition celebrates his four-decade contribution to professionalising public relations and strengthening strategic communication in India
New Delhi: Dr Ajit Pathak, National President of the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), has been conferred the prestigious ‘Delhi Gaurav Samman’ in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the institutionalisation and professional advancement of public relations in India.
The honour was presented by Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal at a ceremony organised by the Sanskriti Yuva Sanstha at the Prime Minister’s Museum and Library in New Delhi. The event was attended by former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and former Union Education Minister Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ and former Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh , Kalraj Mishra, among other distinguished personalities.
Dr Pathak is widely recognised as a pioneering figure who helped establish public relations in India as a strategic management discipline rather than merely a communication function. He also holds the distinction of being described in the source material as the first scholar in India to earn a doctorate in public relations.
His association with PRSI has been marked by sustained leadership and institutional development. He has led the organisation’s National Council since 2006 and was unanimously re-elected as its National President for the 21st consecutive year at the PRSI convention held in New Delhi in June 2025. His continued election reflects the confidence and goodwill he commands within the country's public relations fraternity.
Four Decades of Corporate Communication Leadership
Dr Pathak’s professional journey also spans more than four decades with Indian Oil Corporation, where he served as General Manager in Corporate Communication, Administration and Welfare. During his long corporate career, he contributed to strengthening corporate communication and brand-building practices, setting new benchmarks in the field.
His influence has also extended beyond India. At the international level, he has served as Secretary of the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management and as a Board Member of the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), contributing to the representation and recognition of Indian public relations on the global platform.
PRSI Campaigns Under His Leadership
Under Dr Pathak’s leadership, PRSI has undertaken several initiatives and campaigns addressing important national concerns. These include the Vijayi Bharat campaign for COVID-19 awareness, promotion of the National Education Policy, initiatives to encourage research in public relations, G20 awareness campaigns, and the first India-Russia Public Relations and Media Conference.
These initiatives have expanded the role of public relations beyond organisational communication, positioning it as an important instrument for public awareness, social engagement and nation-building.
The ‘Delhi Gaurav Samman’ is being viewed as a recognition not only of Dr Pathak’s professional accomplishments but also of his long-standing commitment to ethical, inclusive and effective communication.
His humanistic, inclusive and academic approach has continued to inspire a new generation of public relations and media professionals. His contribution reflects the evolving role of communication professionals in building trust between institutions and society.
The honour, therefore, stands as a recognition of Dr Ajit Pathak’s decades-long contribution to strengthening public relations in India and advancing the cause of responsible communication in the service of society and the nation.
