About Me
VK Cherian is a journalist, writer turned strategic communications professional with 40 years of experience from the capital city of New Delhi. After the first 20 years in mainline media including, Television, he shifted to strategic public communications.
His foray into strategic communications began with the industry projects in telecoms, unfolding of the Thehelka episode and went on to join the communications industry with Concept PR. Being a telecom specialist he effectively handled clients like Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, Vodafone Plc and also DLF Ltd. He headed the financial public relations agencies such as Adfactors PR and Concept PR in New Delhi. He served as Director, Corporate Communications of Sistema Shyam Telecommunications ltd (MTS) for a year. He also served as a Senior Director of Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) (2013-15). Responsibilities included launch of MTS data card and public education of the science behind the mobile telephone technology. He has consultancy of his own specializing in public affairs for technology sector and research backups for few members of parliament. http://artofstrategix.com/
He was inducted by Public Relations Council of India into the HALL OF Fame in March 2015. He is widely networked in media, government, industry and politics.
Cherian is a member of professional bodies like Press Club of India, Foreign Correspondents Club of India and runs an NGO with South Africa, Indo-Afrikhadi Foundation. He currently resides at Delhi. He is known for his personal integrity, commitment and professionalism.
In mainline media, he worked with Delhi bureau of dailies, Deccan Chronicle, Mathrubhoomi, The Hitavada, Amrita Bazar Patrika, Financial Express and The Hindu Business Line. He specialized in IT/ Telecom subjects with the advent of economic reforms and became Editor of the technology journal, Telematics India and also served as Editor for IT News at Jain TV. He also reported both houses of Indian Parliament for over ten years. He writes occasional columns in media now.
Cherian is a post graduate diploma holder form Indian Institute of Communications in New Delhi, 1980 and did his PG and graduate studies from Kerala University, at Thiruvananthapuram (1976-79). He was also trained at Institute for Journalism, W Berlin.
Specialties include: Strategic Public Affairs & communications, Social equity, technology, media and films.
Major campaigns undertaken: Khadi as a sustainable development tool, Village telephony and private sector, Busting of Thehelka Myth of 2001-02 and Removing fear of mobile radiation with science.
Author of five books is working on few others including films now.
His published books include The Scam and the Rajas of the Money Market (1993), Har-Anand Publications Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, Satyagraha – Indian and South African artist’s tribute to the spirit of 9-11-1906 - Collection of Essays and catalogue (2006), Published by Afrikhadi India and Kizo Gallery, Durban, Crisis of Corporate Communism-Politics of Murder in Kerala (2013), Har-Anad Publications Pvt Ltd, New Delhi and India’s Film Society Movement: Its Journey and Impact (2016), Sage Publications, New Delhi.( Released by the then Presdient Pranab Mukherjee) Chalachitra Vicharam ( Thoughts about films) in Malayalam published by V C Books, Kochi in 2021.(Released by Governor of Kerala, Sri Arif Mohammed Khan)
He also wrote numerous articles in English and Malayalam in mainline media and journals across India and abroad. Produced many Television series as independent content Editor for Doordarshan in 1990s, Asianet and Jain TV, channels. Made video documentaries, Khadi, The Metaphor of Hope (2003) and Afri-khadi - The thread that binds (2005). Rus a you tube channel on technology, films and other social issues.
Director of NGO-Indo-Afric-Khadi foundation. Organised the centenary of Satyagraha through an Indian S African artist’s tribute to spirit of Satyagraha in New Delhi and Durban. In New Delhi, President of India, APJ Abdul Kalam inaugurated the exhibition.
Widely travelled, plans to cover all continents. (Australia and Latin American and Artic region-left to travel). Interested in politics, social trends and technologies. Passionate about arts, films and networking with liberal right thinking people across the world.