UMEED BPO CREATES RURAL EMPLOYMENT, STEMS MIGRATION

Umeed has set up a rural BPO with the goal of providing jobs and training to rural youth in Dhuri. Umeed, which currently employs around 15 rural youth, is not only providing access to a steady means of income, but also giving its employees opportunities for career growth by imparting training in data processing, digitization, data conversion, and form processing for a varied range of clients.

It is felt that rural India holds a lot of potential and talent waiting to be tapped. Therefore, Umeed has joined hands with Rural Shores to set up this BPO for rural and community development and create employment opportunities.

Umeed feels that the rapidly-growing outsourcing sector can resolve the problems faced by the unemployed rural workforce by offering employment and dignity to rural youth and stemming their migration to cities. Above all, it provides an outlet to their talent, which is otherwise wasted or directed towards negative activities.

The BPO team is all set to start work on a new and major corporate client. It has already completed projects on behalf of various corporate and organizations in the past.

Umeed visits villages

During the week 20th May to 24th May 13, the Umeed medical teams visited the villages Rangian, Sultanpur, Alal, Mulowal, Ranike, Bugra, Dhandiwal, Hassanpur, Rajomajra, Kakkarwal, Pedni, Punnawal, Kumbarwal, Balian-I, Balian-II, Kaleran, Pharwahi, Issapur, Mannwala, Dhura, Harchandpura, Samundgarh Channa, Kandhargarh Channa, Dhuri Pind, Jakhlan, Kolseri, Merheri, Bhularheri, Bhaddalwad, Bhojowali Sherpur Sodhian, Manna, Dhandra, Drogewala, Banbhauri, Rajindrapuri (Ranchna), Bhasour, Babbanpur, Ballamgarh, Dugni, Jatimajra, Mallumajra, Benra, Ladda, Ladda Colony of Halka Dhuri and Bhindran, Balian, Nanakpura,Laddi, Ghabdan, Kalaudi, Santokhpura,Jalan, Rampura+Ubhawal road, Sangrur, Rasulpur Channa, Nandgarh, Mehsampur, Dittupur, Gehlan, Kheri Chandwan, Ambedkar Nagar, Sgr., Ajit Nagar, Sangrur, Sunder Basti, Sangrur, Sangatsar Nagar, B'garh, Mahavir Basti, B'garh, Gugamari w. no. 12, B'garh, Indira Basti, Sangrur, Gurdaspura(Gurthli), Gharachon-II, Fatehgah Channa, Saron, Rupaheri, Ganga Singh Wala, Bhagwanpura, Mangwal, Bakhtra, Bakhtri, Aloarkh, Nadampur, Matran, Thaman S. Wala, Bimbri, Bimbar, Majha, Channo, Munshiwala, Masani, Nakte, Turi, Majhi of Halka Sangrur.

The total number of patients examined was 5136. Of these 3459 were old patients returning for additional medication, while the balance 1677 were first time visitors. We are proud to be serving the old, underprivileged and disadvantaged and being a part of the rural and community development of Punjab.

Umeed medical team visits villages

During the week 14^th May to 18th May 13, the Umeed medical teams visited the villages Qila Hakima, Kanjla – I, Kanjla – II, Roorgarh, Katron, Changli, Ghanour Khurd, Bamal, Jahangir, Ghanouri Kalan – I, Ghanouri Kalan – II, Ghanour Kalan, Baradwal, Ruldu Singh Wala, Bangawali, Issi, Loharmajra, Kheri Jattan, Issra, Jainpur, Dhadogal, Burj Sedha+ Burj Gohra, Cheema, Meemsa, Totapuri Basti, Ambedkar Chownk, Jogi Nath Basti, Dashmesh Nagar, Gandhi Basti, Guru Nanakpura Mohalla, Bazigar Basti, Azad Nagar, Janta Nagar, Sangatpura Mohalla, Prem Basti Dhuriof Halka Dhuri and Sakrodi, Sangatpura, Rai Singh Wala, Panwan, Jaulian, Fatehgarh Bhadson, Joginder Basti, Gandhi Nagar, Ravidas Colony, Bakhopir, Dyalgarh, Kakra, Bangawali, Thales, Gurdaspura-I, Haripura Basti Sangrur, Kartarpura Basti Sgr., Bagguana Basti Sgr., Sardar Basti, Sekhupura Basti, Gumhar Basti, Chehlan Patti, Ajit Nagar, Hanuman Basti, Noorpura, Bharaj, Lakhewal, Dehlewal, Rajpura, Akoi Sahib, Phumanwal, Rasaldar Channa, Balad Khurd, Balad Kainchian, Chotti Balial, Basiarkh, Nariangarh, Bhattiwal Khurd, Hareri, Changal, Khilrian, Kalajhar, Harditpura, Balad Kalan, Batriana, Jahneri, Gharachon-I, Kapial, Retgarh, Rampura, Balial, Bhatiwal Kalan, Ramgarhof Halka Sangrur.

The total number of patients examined was 5350. Of these 3630 were old patients returning for additional medication, while the balance 1720 were first time visitors. We are proud to be serving the old, underprivileged and disadvantaged and being a part of the rural and community development of Punjab.

PHULKARI: Reviving a dying tradition

Phulkari, a rural tradition of handmade embroidery, literally meaning “flower work ", was performed by women in Punjab (North-west India & Pakistan) during the 19th century and till the beginning of the 20th century. Even though the textile industry is imitating this art with the help of machines, phulkari disappeared in its original form after the Partition of 1947, which had a dramatic impact on divided Punjab. Other socio-economical reasons like lack of interest in manual work, less profit, absence of training and industrialisation also dealt a blow to this ancient art. Probably brought to the Indian Subcontinent by the Jats of Central Asia in ancient times, phulkari was a part of every important occasion, be it weddings, birth or religious functions.

Generally practiced by a family for their personal use, the art of completing a phulkari work signified the transition of a girl to womanhood.

The word phulkari usually indicates a shawl that has been loomed and embroidered to cover women's heads or to be displayed in a gurudwara (Sikh temple). This tradition was often associated with the Sikh heritage, but as it was also practiced by Hindus and Muslims, it happens to be more geographically specific.

Umeed is working towards reinventing this traditional art of handmade phulkari by creating avenues of employment and social empowerment for rural women through its five social and economic development centers in surrounding villages of Sangrur. 

Umeed has been running these centers for the past three years where around 100 women are earning their livelihood and thus, become socially empowered. These women receive training in embroidery and are taught the latest trends in this craft. The diversification of the art has been achieved through the manufacture of various articles such as clutches, stoles, cushion covers etc. Continuous research and development in colour schemes, patterns and threads by designers help these women polish their phulkari skills. Phulkari is now a hot favourite with the fashion brigade. Actress Kareena Kapoor wore a beautiful phulkari suit in the film, Jab We Met, while designer Manish Malhotra's latest collection for Wills Lifestyle Fashion Week - titled ‘Threads of Emotions’ - was inspired by phulkari. Infact, phulkari is slowly, but surely, becoming one of the hottest trends of 2013. Umeed is proud to help bringing high fashion Phulkari products to its clientele.

HAPPY SEEDER ISTHE WAY FORWARD

Umeed's rural development department has recently organized several awareness/orientation programmes for farmers on the latest technology of planting wheat, Happy Seeder, which is a wonderful machine with multiple benefits. The technology returns precious nutrients to the soil and minimises the harmful effects of burning crop residues. It also enhances water-use efficiency, suppresses formation of weeds due to mulching and reduces time lag between crop harvesting and sowing of the next crop. When compared to traditional method of farming, crops planted with Happy Seeder have better grain quality and the soil has enhanced organic carbon.

A group of 25-30 farmers were taken to the farm of Captain Ranveer Singh in Balwad village to show how the wheat crop is planted through Happy Seeder. An orientation session was also held on the advantages of the technology. The farmers have responded positively to the technology and many are ready to adopt it. This group of farmers will be taken again to the field during the harvesting season to give then a first-hand experience of the advantage/ benefits of crops which have been planted through the Happy Seeder technology.

Apart from this technology, farmers were given orientation regarding other agricultural technologies which can enhance productivity of their crops and provide them better income from the same land. They were also given additional demonstrations by agriculture scientists from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana.

Umeed medical team visits

During the week 29^th April to 4th May 13, the Umeed medical teams visited the villages of Batuha, Natt, Kanjli, Qila Hakima, Kanjla – I, Kanjla – II, Roorgarh, Katron, Changli, Ghanour Khurd, Bamal, Jahangir, Ghanouri Kalan – I, Ghanouri Kalan – II, Ghanour Kalan, Basiarkh, Nariangarh, Bhattiwal Khurd, Dohla, Palasour, Bhalwan, Baradwal, Ruldu Singh Wala, Bangawali, Issi, Loharmajra, Kheri Jattan, Issra, Jainpur, Dhadogal, Burj Sedha+ Burj Gohra, Cheema, Meemsa, Hareri, Changal, Khilrian, Daulatpur, Kaheru, Sigligar Basti, Totapuri Basti, Ambedkar Chownk, Jogi Nath Basti, Dashmesh Nagar, Gandhi Basti, Guru Nanakpura Mohalla, Bazigar Basti, Azad Nagar, Dharampura Mohalla, Janta Nagar, Sangatpura Mohalla, Prem Basti Dhuri of Halka Dhuri and Harkishanpura, Roshanwala, Phaguwala + Kainchian, Sakrodi,Sangatpura, Rai Singh Wala, Panwan, Jaulian, Fatehgarh Bhadson, Joginder Basti, B’garh, Gandhi Nagar, B’garh, Ravidas Colony, B’garh, Bakhopir, Dyalgarh, Kakra, Haripura Basti, B’garh, Dasmesh Ngr. B’garh, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, B’garh, Bangawali, Thales, Gurdaspura-I, Haripura Basti, Sangrur, Kartarpura Basti, Sgr., Bagguana Basti, Sgr., Sardar Basti, Sangrur, Sekhupura Basti, Sangrur, Gumhar Basti, Sangrur, Chehlan Patti, B’garh, Ajit Nagar, B’garh, Hanuman Basti, B’garh, Bharo, Shahpur, Kheri Gillan, Noorpura, Bharaj, Lakhewal, Dehlewal, Rajpura, Akoi Sahib, Phumanwal, Rasaldar Channa, Deh Kalan, Balad Khurd, Balad Kainchian, Chotti Balial, Basiarkh, Nariangarh, Bhattiwal Khurd, Hareri, Changal, Khilrian, Kalajhar, Harditpura, Balad Kalan, Batriana, Jahneri, Gharachon-I, Kapial, Retgarh, Rampura (B’garh), Balial, Bhatiwal Kalan, Ramgarh of Halka Sangrur.

The total number of patients examined was 6644. Of these 3660 were old patients returning for additional medication, while the balance 2984 were first time visitors. We are proud to be serving the old, underprivileged and disadvantaged and being a part of the rural and community development of Punjab.

Umeed in villages

During the week 22nd to 26th April 13, the Umeed medical teams visited the villages of Rangian, Sultanpur, Alal, Mulowal, Ranike, Bugra, Dhandiwal, Hassanpur, Rajomajra, Kakkarwal, Pedni, Punnawal, Kumbarwal, Balian – I, Balian – II, Kaleran, Pharwahi, Issapur, Mannwala, Dhura, Harchandpura, Samundgarh Channa, Kandhargarh Channa, Dhuri Pind, Jakhlan, Kolseri, Merheri, Bhularheri, Bhaddalwad, Bhojowali Sherpur Sodhian, Manna, Dhandra, Drogewala, Banbhauri, Rajindrapuri (Ranchna), Bhasour, Babbanpur, Ballamgarh, Dugni, Jatimajra, Mallumajra, Benra, Ladda, Ladda Colony of Halka Dhuri and Bhindran, Balian, Nanakpura,Laddi, Ghabdan, Kalaudi, Santokhpura, Jalan, Rampura+Ubhawal road, Sangrur, Rasulpur Channa, Nandgarh, Mehsampur, Dittupur, Gehlan, Kheri Chandwan, Ambedkar Nagar, Sgr., Ajit Nagar, Sangrur, Sunder Basti, Sangrur, Sangatsar Nagar, B’garh, Mahavir Basti, B’garh, Gugamari w. no. 12, B’garh, Indira Basti, Sangrur, Gurdaspura (Gurthli), Gharachon-II, Fatehgah Channa, Saron, Rupaheri, Ganga Singh Wala, Bhagwanpura, Mangwal, Bakhtra, Bakhtri, Aloarkh, Nadampur, Matran, Thaman S. Wala, Bimbri, Bimbar, Majha, Channo, Munshiwala, Masani, Nakte, Turi, Majhi of Halka Sangrur.

The total number of patients examined was 5555. Of these 3555 were old patients returning for additional medication, while the balance 2000 were first time visitors. We are proud to be serving the old, underprivileged and disadvantaged and being a part of the rural and community development of Punjab.