Manish Desai Takes Charge of Press Information Bureau (PIB)

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has made significant appointments, including the transfer of Manish Desai, the Central Bureau of Communications (CBC) chief, to lead the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

Manish Desai’s Impressive Career

Manish Desai, a distinguished officer of the Indian Information Service (IIS) since 1989, has taken on several critical roles in his career. He held the position of CBC chief, overseeing the government’s advertising and public communication arm. His responsibilities encompassed a broad spectrum of communication activities across various media platforms, including print, electronic, outdoor, transit, and new media.

From November 2019 to January 2020, Manish Desai served as the Director General of the Registrar of Newspapers of India (RNI). Additionally, he has an impressive six-year tenure as the Additional Director General (ADG) of PIB from 2012 to 2018. He has also held the position of Director General of the West Zone PIB in Mumbai.

Key Transitions in Leadership

• Manish Desai’s appointment as the Principal Director General of PIB comes as Rajesh Malhotra, who has led the media outreach unit since 2022, is set to retire.
• In another important development, Bhupendra Kainthola, former Principal Director General of PIB, Kolkata, has been appointed as the Press Registrar. This role plays a crucial part in overseeing press-related matters.
• Dhirendra Ojha, the incumbent Press Registrar, is slated to take over as the new CBC chief, following Manish Desai’s transition.

PIB’s Centennial Anniversary

It’s worth noting that the Press Information Bureau (PIB), which serves as the primary agency for disseminating information on behalf of the Indian government, celebrated its centennial anniversary in June of this year. Established in Shimla in June 1919 as the Central Publicity Board, it originally operated under the colonial government’s Home Ministry. Its initial mission was to compile an annual report on India for presentation to the British Parliament.

The first individual to lead the publicity cell at its inception was Dr. LF Rushbrook Williams, who was affiliated with Allahabad University and held the title of Officer on Special Duty. These appointments signify key changes in the leadership of crucial government communication entities and mark notable milestones in the history of the Press Information Bureau.

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