Book excerpt: At a time when effective communications has become the biggest issue confronting the cooperative movement globally, the book delves into the issues of Public Relations and Media in the context of cooperatives in India. Being the largest cooperative movement in the world, with significant achievements in various areas of socio-economic activities, the Indian cooperative movement faces a big challenge of image-building which can enhance the profile of the cooperative movement, and create awareness about the beneficial aspects of cooperative development amongst the general masses. Against this backdrop, the book is a timely endeavour to analyse the issues of public relations and media which have an important role in image-building of the cooperative sector. The book with a strategic orientation comes up with fresh perspectives so as to prepare a road-map for strengthening the functioning of public relations and media in the working of cooperatives in India. As communications is considered the weakest link in the functioning of the cooperative sector, there is a strong realization that the cooperative movement in India cannot succeed without a vibrant public relations and media policy. As the communication literature in the cooperative sector in India is scanty, the book also fills a big void in enriching the subjects of public relations and media, which are generally neglected. The book deals with a wide gamut of vital issues like importance of public relations, research in public relations, media relations, community media, cooperative advocacy, success stories, strategic communications, social media, role of blogs, and also some case studies related to public relations and media. The book provides a refreshing referral benefit to students and teachers of public relations and media, research scholars, faculty members, academicians, practitioners and policy-makers related to the cooperative sector in India and abroad.