Shri Abhijit Sarkar bestowed with the prestigious and coveted ‘PR Hall of Fame’ Award during the 7^th PRCI Global PR Conclave

New Delhi, February 25, 2013: Mr. Abhijit Sarkar, Head - Corporate Communications, Sahara India Pariwar and Director - Sahara Adventure Sports Limited, has been inducted into the prestigious PR Hall of Fame by the Public Relations Council of India (PRCI).

PRCI felicitated Mr. Sarkar, who is also the most visible face of Corporate Communications profession in India, at the 7^th Global PR Conclave held at Hyderabad over the week-end. Andhra Pradesh Housing Minister Mr. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Vice Chancellor of English and Foreign Languages University Dr. Sunaina Singh presented the certificate and the trophy depicting the induction into PR Hall of Fame. Mr. Sarkar had been felicitated with the Communicator of the Year award by PRCI at its Global Conclave held at Chandigarh in 2011.

Mr. Sarkar started his career from print journalism. This was followed by a successful stint as a TV news host and then he got selected for the core team of Mr. Subrata Roy Sahara, Managing Worker & Chairman, Sahara India Pariwar. Considering his sharp understanding of the nuances of media, he was given the task of establishing the Corporate Communications department for Sahara India Pariwar.  With his fresh ideas and strategic communication planning, he expanded the possibilities and scope of work of the Corporate Communications department, beyond regular corporate communications related solutions, PRCI said while announcing the rare honour for Mr. Sarkar.

With his fresh ideas and strategic communication planning, Mr. Sarkar  provided a mélange of services of the Corporate Communications department are provided to a wide ranging businesses of Sahara group which includes financial services, housing finance, mutual funds, life insurance, city development, real estate activities, print and television media, film production, sports, information technology, health care, tourism, hospitality and consumer products.

At the helm of running the Sahara’s IPL Pune franchisee –Pune Warriors India, Mr. Sarkar, Director, Sahara Adventure Sports Limited played a decisive role in getting the coveted franchisee for Sahara. The same was reflected on the front page of every major publication where his photographs appeared raising the hand for Sahara on winning the IPL bid. He has also played a pivotal role in Sahara’s association with sportsmen, celebrity, and other sports like Hockey, Boxing, Wrestling, Archery, Shooting, Football, Golf, Polo, Volleyball, etc. He has made key contributions in cementing Sahara’s inseparable association with Cricket, for the past fifteen years, whether it is the Sahara Cup in Canada, Sponsorship of the Indian Cricket Team or the Sahara IPL team.

Since the early days to the present day, Sahara’s association with Indian Cricket has traveled a long journey of significant milestones that deserved to be chronicled. The story of the rise of Indian Cricket team as a cricketing super power during the course of Sahara India Pariwar’s long association not only needs to be told but also preserved for the future generation of the cricket lovers.

In the same context, Mr. Sarkar came with a up concept of preparing a Coffee Table Book, ‘The Golden Era’, which is a sumptuous tribute to Cricket and commemorates Sahara’s glorious association with Indian cricket in a form of book that spans from Natwest Trophy win in 2002 which is considered a turning point in Indian cricket after, of course, the 1983 World Cup triumph to India’s recent home series against South Africa. The book has number of sections with brief bios on each of the recent great cricketers. The book was conceptualized, ideated and produced under the guidance of Mr. Abhijit Sarkar.

Considering his vast experience and expertise in the area of communications and media management, he has been appointed as a Convener – Publicity & Media Sub Committee of the XIX Commonwealth Games, 2010.

Mr. Sarkar’s contribution was not only restricted to the development of his department but was also instrumental in expanding the possibility of the corporate communications profession at large into every aspect of business. He has re-scripted many rules of the industry, especially in the fields of media planning, public relations, sports management, new media, e-communications, internal communications and events management. His ideation of landmark events which married Bollywood with the Cricket world has been a trendsetter in the Industry.

Mr. Sarkar has been instrumental in developing and executing various well acclaimed international and national events like Sahara India Sports Awards, Cricket Cup series, film festivals, Music awards, etc. As an executive producer of one of the largest musical stage shows originated from India namely ‘Bharati’, he took pride for Sahara Group and the Nation, to take the show to international level by conceptualizing and organizing impressive performances in foreign countries.