Udupi, 4th March 16: During the British rule also media and communication existed in India. The departure of the British from India provided the media challenges and opportunities also. Intermedia competition should encourage research in communication as it happened in the west unfortunately. The urgent need of the hour is to introduce professionalism in academic research in the field of communication, said Dr. Binod C. Agrawal, an eminent communication Research expert and also former Vice Chancellor of Himigiri Zee University, founder director of Mudra Institute of Communications, a former Director General of Taleem Research Foundation and former advisor of ISRO during his inaugural speech on the occasion of National Conference on Communication Research in India held at Valley View International Hotel, Manipal on Friday, 4th March, 2016.

He also said that India’s Media and communication scenario has been dynamic over the years after the British provided us Independence. The social media have redefined many aspects of life over the last several decades.

After the invocation prayer by Vidyalakshmi, student of School of Communication, Manipal, Dr. Nandini Lakshmikanth welcomed the gatherings Dr. Padma Rani, Organising Secretary and Associate Director of SOC gave brief on the conference.

Dr. H. Vinod Bhat, Vice Chancellor of Manipal University presided the occasion and spoke during the occasion.

K. Padmakumar introduced the chief guest Dr. Binod C. Agarwal and compered the programme.The inaugural session will be followed by paper presentations from the delegates. Around 50 papers are set to be presented at the conference on a wide spectrum of themes related to communications research.

Two day conference will begin with a panel discussion. Dr. Bashabi Fraser, Director of Scottish Centre of Tagore Studies, Edinburg, Napier University will discuss on the role of media in shaping people’s response.