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| | Welcome to the September 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 to Rural Development, Rural BPO, Women Empowerment, Social Empowerment, Education and Awareness programmes, etc.
For more information, please visit our website www.umeedonline.com or feel free to Contact us |
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In this issue...
- Umeed formed 14 women’s Self-Help Groups (SHG) in August, taking the total number of SHGs to 323, apart from the four male groups. The total number of SHG members is now 3,952.
- Umeed treated 15,153 patients in August under the health-at-the-doorstep programme. On an average 689 patients were treated every day.
 | JOB PLACEMENT SERVICE |
| As many as 439 youth registered themselves with Umeed/AR Job ... Read more |
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T-SHIRT DISTRIBUTION |
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Umeed distributed 1,187 T-shirts among students at ... Read
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14 SHGs FORMED |
| Fourteen SHGs, comprising 163 members, were formed... Read more |
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Training on at stitching centres | | Umeed has opened 46 stitching centres in 42 villages of Sangrur... Read more | | |
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PRODUCTS WOW WEDDING ASIA |
| Umeed showcased its products at the “Wedding Asia” exhibition... Read
more |
| | | | Designed by Adiants Technologies |
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KNOW ARVIND KHANNA
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Hello,
My heart goes out to the families of those killed and injured in the blasts outside Delhi high court on September 7. We should end petty party politics and fight the scourge of terrorism with resolve, passion, focus and scientific counter-measures. I would also like to extend my condolences to the families of the victims of the devastating earthquake that rocked Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar and parts of north India on September 18.
August saw a nation finding its inner voice and articulating its anger against corruption. So, from where was the disillusionment stemming from? While the unending number of corruption cases was the focal point, people were angry about the neglect: crumbling urban infrastructure, limited opportunities for higher education and few formal sector jobs. In Punjab, for example, corruption has invaded the system. From the local ration shop to the civic authorities and police, the common man can get no work done without paying a bribe.
The issue of corruption has to be addressed seriously and immediately before it starts rotting the country’s basic fabric. But as Rahul Gandhi said “an effective Lokpal law is only one element in the legal framework to combat corruption. The Lokpal institution alone cannot be a substitute for a comprehensive anti-corruption code”. We should follow Gandhi’s suggestion to fortify the Lokpal bill by making it a constitutional body like the Election Commission of India. A firm political will is essential to fight corruption, but we should keep in mind that democratic processes are not weakened in the pursuit of a Lokpal.
Dr Manmohan Singh had shown his unfailing commitment to weed out corruption from the government by divesting people of their ministerial portfolios. Many have been put behind bars, which show the keenness and commitment of the UPA government. When the Congress comes to power in Punjab, we will strengthen the institution of Lok Ayukta and make it more strong and effective to ensure that it serves its goal.
Meanwhile back in Sangrur, we have added 14 more SHGs to our Umeed family, which now comprises 3,952 members. The NGO’s products were showcased at “Wedding Asia” in Chandigarh. Visitors were stunned by the beautiful and intricate crochet and embroidery work.
I am also happy that all our programmes - the notebook distribution scheme, job placement cell, stitching centres and income generation activities – are running on schedule and working towards empowering the people of Sangrur.
As always, I welcome you to give your feedback and suggestions.
Happy Reading!
Arvind Khanna
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ACTIVITIES AT UMEED
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14 SHGs FORMED |
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Fourteen SHGs, comprising 163 members, were formed in various villages in the district. Of the 14 SHGs, nine were formed in Sangrur villages, one in Sangrur basti, two in Bhawanigarh bastis, one in Mehal kalan and one in Barnala. Five saving accounts were also opened and loans worth Rs 4 lakh were given to three SHGs for dairy activities. As many as 28 members started income generation activities this month. Of them, 18 have taken bank loans and 10 have taken a loan from the SHG for various activities like dairy farming, opening a shop, buying sewing machines etc.
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Training on at stitching centres
Umeed has opened 46 stitching centres in 42 villages of Sangrur and four bastis in the district and Bhawanigarh. The beneficiaries have covered their syllabus for the second month and are satisfied with the training imparted.
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PRODUCTS WOW WEDDING ASIA |
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Umeed showcased its products at the “Wedding Asia” exhibition, which was held at The Taj in Chandigarh from September 2 to September 4. Umeed members are currently preparing products for upcoming exhibitions in Delhi, Dubai and Kolkata.
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Job placement service
As many as 439 youth registered themselves with Umeed/AR Job placement office in August and 257 candidates were sent for interviews to various organizations. Of them, 58 candidates got jobs.
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T-Shirt distribution
Umeed distributed 1,187 T-shirts among students at a local stadium in Bhawanigarh.
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ARVIND IN SANGRUR
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VILLAGE MEETINGS |
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Arvind Khanna visited Sangrur district on August 3, 4, 11, 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24. On August 4, he attended a village meeting at Nakte (A) and Bhattiwal Khurd (B)in Bhawanigarh block. On August 11, he attended a village meeting in Changal (C), Thales and Hareri. (D) Nearly 100 youth have joined the Congress under the leadership of Arvind Khanna in Hareri (E). On August 18, he met prominent people of Rai Singh Wala village (F) On August 23, he attended another meeting in Rajpura (G) and Balad Kalan (H). The next day, he attended a meeting in Bhattiwal Kalan (I).
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BONDING OVER TEA |
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Arvind Khanna had tea with Gian Singh, principal of Holy Heart Convent School, at Kishanpura Basti; with Pavel Mansahia, son of Dicky Mansahia, former chairman, Improvement Trust, Sangrur; with advocate Amarjit Sahota, executive member DCC Sangrur at Dr Ambedkar Nagar, Sangrur (A); with Sumit Kumar (M/s Bansal Printing Press) at his residence in Dasmesh Nagar, ward number 4, Bhawanigarh (B); with Chaman Lal at Dasmesh Nagar (C); with S Amarinder Singh (Ricky Dullat), who is the organising secretary of the District Youth Congress in Sangrur (D) and with Parminder Sharma, general secretary, DCC, Sangrur (E).
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Paying last respects
Arvind Khanna paid condolences to the family of Shivdyal Sibba, president of Shishu Niketan Public School, Sangrur; to S Bhagwant Singh on the death of his son, Avtar Singh Sonu, at Kartarpura Basti, Sangrur; to the family of S Sham Singh at Kartarpura Basti; to Jagtar Singh, member of Punjab Dera Sacha Sauda Sirsa, on the death of his father at Bhawanigarh; to advocate Amarvir Singh Mann (Addy Mann), vice-president of the Bar Association, Sangrur, on the death of his father and to Parminder Bajaj, vice-president, DCC Sangrur, on the death of his father, Sh. Sadhu Ram Bajaj, at DC Kothi Road.
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Prayer meetingsArvind Khanna attended the bhog and antim ardas of S Darshan Singh Majhi, former chairman of Zila Parishad Sangrur at Majhi in Bhawanigarh. He also attended a prayer meeting held for the late Sadhu Ram Bajaj, father of Parminder Bajaj, vice-president, DCC Sangrur, at DC Kothi Road. |
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Visit to Umeed stitching centres |
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Arvind visited the Umeed stitching centre at Harditpura village in Bhawanigarh and also interacted with the villagers. He also visited the stitching center at Thales village in Sangrur block.
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Notebook distribution in Bakhtra
Arvind Khanna met prominent people of Bakhtra village in Bhawanigarh block and also distributed notebooks and stationeries among 120 children on August 18. Around 6,000 notebooks have been distributed till date.
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District–level conference
Arvind Khanna was the chief guest at the district-level conference of the 4th Class FCI Union in Sangrur.
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Janmasthami celebrations |
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On the eve of Janmashtami, Arvind Khanna visited the Shiv Mandir and Radha Krishan Mandir in Bhawanigarh. He also visited the Pracheen Shiv Mandir, Mandir Shri Maha Kali Devi and Mandir Shri Mansa Devi in Sangrur.
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Workers reinstated
Arvind Khanna met 133 contractual workers, who had been suspended but later reinstated after the PCC general secretary’s efforts.
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Tribute to late Rajiv Gandhi
Rich tributes were paid to the Late Rajiv Gandhi on his 67th birth anniversary on August 20.
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Lunchtime
Arvind Khanna had lunch with Kapil Garg, chairman of the veopar cell of the District Congress Committee.
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Arvind in Punjab
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Around the state with Captain
Arvind Khanna accompanied Captain Amarinder Singh to a state-level NSUI conference at Patiala; a PPCC state-level conference at Baba Bakala (Amritsar); a PPCC state-level conference at Ishru and a PPCC conference on forcible land acquisition by the state government in Mansa district.
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Arrest of NSUI activists condemned
PCC general secretary Arvind Khanna condemned the lathicharge and arrest of NSUI activists in Amristsar. He said the government was trying to act in a dictatorial manner, which was unacceptable. Supporting the students, who were protesting against the Amritsar mayor for his failure to utilise the development grants there, Khanna said the Congress fully supports the activists.
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Mass contact meetings
Arvind Khanna attended mass contact meetings in Bathinda Rural, Bathinda and Khanna, Sehnewal and Jagraon.
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Blood donation camp
A blood donation camp was organized to pay tribute to Shaheed Udham Singh at Sunam.
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Poetic Justice for Dhanda
Senior Congress leaders, including Arvind Khanna, welcomed the Punjab and Haryana high court order, quashing the appointment of Harish Rai Dhanda as chairman of Punjab Public Service Commission. In a joint statement, PCC vice presidents Laal Singh, Rana KP, general secretary Arvind Khanna, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Tript Rajinder Singh Bajwa and Balbir Sidhu said it was Dhanda who had been assigned by the CM to facilitate the illegal and unconstitutional expulsion of Capt Amarinder Singh from Punjab assembly which was later set aside by the Supreme Court of India.
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What Arvind said:
Arvind Khanna lashed out at the Akali Dal-BJP government in Punjab and said every section of society was disappointed with the state administration. He said the people in the state were losing their tolerance. He also held a public grievance meeting in ward number 20 on July 31. The Congress leader also accused the government of bringing the state to the verge of destruction.
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Arvind Khanna reiterated the Congress pledge that once the party comes to power in Punjab, the state will witness large-scale industrialization.
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Arvind Khanna promised that all cases of forcible land acquisition by the Akali Dal-BJP government will be thoroughly investigated after the Congress comes to power in the state.
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Arvind Khanna condemned the attempts by some people to communalise the functioning of the Congress in the state. Khanna said those trying to accuse the party of working with any bias are doing it at the behest of certain communal forces which are hell bent on dividing people along parochial lines. The PCC general secretary said PCC President, Capt Amarinder Singh, in particular was known for his secular credentials. He said the Congress was known for its secular character, which did not differentiate between people on the basis of religion, caste, creed or colour.
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