K S Neelakandan, former director, public affairs at Pfizer India, who was closely associated with the Public Relation Society of India passed away recently. A keen practitioner of public relations, he contributed to the industry for over five decades. He was also the chairman of Asian Institute of Public Relations (AIPR) and director, Healthcare & Industry Information Centre, where he played an active role in developing the PR industry. On the health care front he played a key role in representing the industry and having dialogues with the government and on various public affairs and policies.
In the mid-70s and early 80s Neelakandan was an early champion of the PR industry. An avid music buff he also represented several cultural organisations. He was also associated with the Indo-American Society where he was the senior vice-chairman. In his later years, he was keenly pursuing the idea of setting up a PR & communication college. In his passing away the industry has lost a great leader and a mentor.
