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Welcome to the June 2011 edition of umeed e-newsletter. If you would
like further information on any of the topics covered then please visit www.umeedonline.com
or email us and we will be delighted to forward
it to you. |
Umeed
The NGO initiated and run by Arvind Khanna in Punjab. Dedicated for Rural Development, Rural BPO, Women Empowerment, Social Empowerment, Education and Awareness programmes, etc.
For more information, please visit our website www.umeedonline.com or may feel free to Contact us |
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In this issue...
- To its growing number of 45 lakh patients treated till last month, Umeed added 12,679 more in May under its "Health-at-the-doorstep" programme.
- Umeed continued with its efforts to empower women and uplift society by forming 26 Self-Help Groups (SHG) in May. This has taken the total number of SHGs to 292 with 3,695 members.
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NOTEBOOK DISTRIBUTION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS |
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Arvind Khanna attended a notebook distribution function...
Read more |
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NGO'S PRODUCTS BECOME A RAGE |
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Women at the Social and Economic Development Center made... Read
more |
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STICHING CENTERS ON THE CARDS |
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Umeed plans to open stitching centres in 47 villages / bastis in... Read
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BONDING WITH THE PEOPLE |
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Arvind Khanna visited Sangrur district on May 4, 8, 12, 23 25,... Read
more |
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ARVIND APPOINTED PPCC GENERAL SECY |
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It was a proud day for Arvind Khanna as he was appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee... Read
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KNOW ARVIND KHANNA
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Hello everyone,
I would like to thank all my well-wishers for the positive response to our first newsletter. I am humbled by the support and words of praise. May was a sad month for all us as the wife of Punjab chief minister, S Parkash Singh Badal, passed away recently. My heart goes out to the Badal family. I hope God guides them in their darkest hours.
On a more positive note, Sangrur resident Jatinder Singh cleared the prestigious IIT entrance test and secured a place in the merit list. Singh’s mother is a core member of our Umeed Self-Help Group and we are proud to have helped her financially to support Jatinder’s higher education. I hope Jatinder’s achievement inspires students in the district to beat all odds and succeed in life. I wish him all the best in life and many more such milestones.
Two others students cleared the IIT test from Punjab, thus proving that despite the dismal state of education in Punjab, the youth have the determination to succeed. I think we should take this as a positive trend and take urgent steps to improve the education system in the state.
It is a pity that Punjab, which was holding the number one position among all the other states with regard to per capita income, has slipped down to number five in 2008. With no job opportunities, industrial slowdown and farming not being that lucrative anymore, the future appears bleak for Punjab unless the government takes the initiative to salvage the situation. Read my blog, "Punjab’s position among Indian states in regard to Per Capital Income",
I think corporates, too, should play a bigger role and fulfill their social responsibilities. There is a proposal to make it mandatory to earmark two per cent of average profits of companies for social work. But the desire to do something for society should come from inside. There are big companies which are already spending a lot of money on social welfare schemes and I think others should follow suit. Only then can we dream of rebuilding the state and the country.
I am glad that our notebook distribution work is continuing on a war-footing. We have distributed 1,152 notebooks among 384 primary schoolchildren this month. We have already distributed 3,516 note books among 1,156 children.
The BPO team is also honing their skills by learning typing, Excel, Ms Word programme etc. I am also happy with the regular cleanliness & maintenance work at Banasar Bagh. This should set a precedent on how to treat our heritage sites.
We have made certain changes in this newsletter following the suggestions that we received from our well-wishers. Please continue with the feedback as it helps us improve and strive for the best.
Arvind Khanna
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ACTIVITIES AT UMEED
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NOTEBOOK DISTRIBUTION IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Arvind Khanna attended a notebook distribution function. Umeed plans to distribute 20,000 books among primary school children.
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HEALTH-AT-THE DOORSTEP
Over and above 45 lakh patients treated till last month, as many as 12,679 patients were treated under the "Health-at-the-doorstep" programme in May by eminent doctors and given medicines free of cost.
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AID TO KARGIL MARTYR'S KIN
As part of Umeed’s efforts to help the needy, Arvind Khanna gave financial aid to the daughters of Kargil martyr Laxman Singh in Bakhopir village. Umeed has been supporting the family for the past eight years.
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NGO'S PRODUCTS BECOME A RAGE
Women at the Social and Economic Development Center made hot water bottle covers, table mats, runners, dollies, coasters, stoles, embroidered hankies and dry fruits gift packets this month. The products have become a hit with buyers liking the exquisite crochet and embroidery work.
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HONING SKILLS AT RURAL BPO
The BPO team is learning typing, Excel and Ms Word programme to keep abreast of the latest IT technologies. Two candidates have been shortlisted for the post of supervisor at the BPO.
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BANASAR BAGH PROJECT
Keeping his promise of bringing back glory to Sangrur City, Arvind Khanna continued with cleaning and maintenance of the historical Banasar Bagh, one of the main heritage attractions of the district.
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INCOME GENERATION PROGRAMMES
Ten women have started income generation activities, including dairy farming, stitching/embroidery, petty shops etc this month. SHGs from Akoi Sahib and Channo villages got loans of Rs 50,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively. Twenty-two SHGs of women were formed and four SHGs, comprising men, were also constituted.
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STICHING CENTERS ON THE CARDS
Umeed plans to open stitching centres in 47 villages / bastis in the first week of July.
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JOB CORP TEAM VISIT
A Job Corp team visited Sangrur on May 14 and conducted two Focus Group Discussions (FGD) to assess the kind of skill sets/jobs available in the district and the skill sets/jobs that attract the youth. Twenty-five people from diverse backgrounds participated in the FGDs.
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ARVIND IN SANGRUR
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BONDING WITH THE PEOPLE
Arvind Khanna visited Sangrur district on May 4, 8, 12, 23 25, 30 and 31. He met the people of the district and heard their problems.
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SANGRUR & BHAWANIGARH
CONGRATULATES ARVIND
Arvind Khanna was welcomed by block Congress workers on May 12 at Sangrur and on May 23 at Bhawanigarh on his elevation as PPCC General Secretary.
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YOUTH AKALI DAL LEADER JOINS
CONGRESS
During Arvind Khanna’s visit to Bakhopir village, youth Akali Dal leaders joined the Congress.
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MEETING VILLAGE ELDERS AT KAKRA
Arvind Khanna meeting people at village Kakra.
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BONDING WITH THE YOUTH
Arvind Khanna connected with young people at Nadampur village (in pic) and promised to look into issues concerning the youth like lack of job opportunities in the state. He also met the youth at Sangatpura village.
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SAD (B) WORKERS JOIN THE CONGRESS
SAD (B) workers joined the Congress under the leadership of Arvind Khanna at Mangwal block in Sangrur.
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LAUNCHING MITHA ZEHAR
Stressing on the need to read books to gain knowledge and broaden one’s horizon, Arvind Khanna launched a book, Mitha Zehar, written by Jasvir Singh Rai Singh Wala.
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FAIR POWER
Arvind Khanna met a group of women in Bhawanigarh. He stressed on the need to empower women to achieve economic and social development of society.
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A DAY WITH SPORTS CLUB MEMBERS
Known for his love for sports and fitness, Arvind Khanna made it a point to attend a meeting with members of the Ravidass Sports and Welfare Club in Phumanwal village.
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ARVIND MEETS UNION WORKERS
Arvind Khanna met members of Punjab Palledar Union In Sangrur and discussed various labour issues.
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ARVIND AROUND PUNJAB
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ARVIND APPOINTED PPCC GENERAL SECY
It was a proud day for Arvind Khanna as he was appointed Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) General Secretary by the Congress high command. Arvind Khanna expressed his gratitude to Capt. Amarinder Singh and the Congress for the faith reposed in him.
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CONDOLENCE TO THE BADAL FAMILY
Arvind Khanna and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President, Capt Amarinder Singh attended the cremation of Surinder Kaur Badal, wife of Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal. They also visited Muktsar village to pay condolence to the Badal family.
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AROUND THE STATE WITH CAPT
Arvind Khanna blessed 101 newly-wedded couples in Mohali, along with PPCC president, Capt Amarinder Singh. He also visited Ludhiana, Amritsar, Nakodar, Shahkot and Kartarpur in Jalandhar Rural, Zira, Ferozepur City, Ferozepur Rural and Guruharsahai, along with Capt Amarinder Singh, to meet Congress workers.
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HANSI BHUTANA CANAL ISSUE
Terming the construction of a concrete wall on the controversial Hansi-Bhutana canal in Haryana illegal and contemptuous of the Supreme Court orders, Arvind Khanna criticised Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal’s silence on the issue.
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WITHDRAW EXTRA EXCISE ON PETROL
Voicing the concerns of the common man, Arvind Khanna asked the Punjab government to withdraw the extra taxes imposed on petrol in the state that makes it the costliest in the country.
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INVOKE ARTICLE 356 IN PUNJAB
Arvind Khanna and other senior leaders accompanied Capt. Amarinder Singh during a visit to the Governor Shivraj Patil. The delegation submitted a memorandum, demanding that Article 356 of the Indian Constitution be invoked and the Akali-BJP government in Punjab dismissed.
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DISSOLVE ASSEMBLY, HOLD SNAP POLL
Voicing his protest against corruption, Arvind Khanna demanded snap polls in Punjab as the Akali-BJP government had lost the mandate to govern.
What Arvind said
Umeed will organize an "Umeed Cup" soon.
Khanna stresses on corporate responsibility to uplift society.
Congress will focus on eradication of unemployment.
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