MAM
PRCI Delhi names Baldev Raj vice chairman to steer India’s comms reset
NEW DELHI: The Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) has appointed Prius Communications founder and chief executive Baldev Raj, as vice chairman of its Delhi chapter, signalling a renewed push to strengthen leadership at a moment of upheaval for India’s communications industry.
The sector is grappling with faster information cycles, intensified public scrutiny and rising expectations of clarity and accountability. PRCI aims to position its Delhi chapter, located at the crossroads of policy, governance and institutional influence, as a hub for knowledge leadership, ethical practice, and technology-led capability development, including AI-based training for emerging communicators.
Baldev Raj’s appointment fits squarely into this mandate. With more than 25 years across healthcare, finance, technology, education, infrastructure, public policy and development, he has built Prius into one of India’s best-regarded integrated communications firms, with 12 offices, 80 partner networks and more than 2,000 campaigns delivered nationwide. He has also been an active voice in the field, speaking at over 2,000 forums, authoring 1,800 thought pieces and mentoring more than 5,000 professionals.
PRCI chief mentor and chairman emeritus M B Jayaram, said Raj brings both scale and consistency to the profession, having guided organisations through complex communication challenges and championed higher standards of practice. His appointment, he said, is central to PRCI’s ambition of shaping communicators who can operate with rigour in a rapidly evolving information environment.
Accepting the role, Raj said the expectations from communication, across public institutions, industry and the broader citizenry have risen sharply. He aims to build programmes that strengthen professional capability, deepen cross-sector dialogue and prepare young communicators for a landscape that demands “both precision and purpose”.
With this leadership shift, PRCI Delhi is set to sharpen its influence in India’s communication priorities, pushing for collaboration, ethical standards and a more trusted information ecosystem.
Brands
Prataap Snacks posts Rs 1.14 crore Q4 profit, EBITDA up 319 per cent
Yellow Diamond maker posts turnaround with Rs 1.14 crore profit, 10 per cent dividend proposed
NEW DELHI: Prataap Snacks Limited has staged a sharp turnaround in the fourth quarter of FY26, reporting a 319 per cent surge in operating EBITDA and a return to profitability after a challenging previous year.
The Indore-based company, known for brands such as Yellow Diamond and Avadh, posted income from operations of Rs 420.18 crore for Q4 FY26, marking a 5 per cent year-on-year rise. Operating EBITDA climbed to Rs 20.59 crore, while margins stood at 4.9 per cent.
Most notably, the company reported a profit after tax of Rs 1.14 crore for the quarter, reversing a loss of Rs 11.94 crore in the same period last year. Diluted earnings per share improved to Rs 0.48 from a negative Rs 5.00 earlier, signalling a steady recovery in performance.
For the full financial year, consolidated income rose 1 per cent to Rs 1,724.65 crore. Annual operating EBITDA grew 68 per cent to Rs 81.81 crore, while the company posted a net profit of Rs 9.72 crore, compared to a loss of Rs 34.27 crore in FY25.
Reflecting this improved performance, the board has recommended a dividend of 10 per cent, equivalent to Rs 0.50 per share on a face value of Rs 5.
Prataap Snacks Limited managing director Amit Kumat said the recovery was driven by sharper execution and data-led decision-making, including the use of Sales Force Automation analytics. The company also expanded its distribution network to over 5,000 distributors and strengthened its presence on quick commerce platforms.
Looking ahead, the company expects double-digit revenue growth in FY27, though it remains cautious about inflationary pressures on key inputs such as packaging materials and edible oil. Management plans to offset these through tighter cost controls and calibrated pricing strategies.
With profitability back on track and operations stabilising, Prataap Snacks appears to be regaining its footing in an increasingly competitive packaged foods market.
