Opus invests $1million as it inaugurates its second Rural BPO Centre

Opus Rural Foundation (ORF), announced the inauguration of its second Rural BPO Centre in Dhavalgaon, about 80 kilometres from Pune. Opus has invested $1million towards this initiative and is committed to spending a lot more recurrently. This centre will provide employment opportunities to youth from adjoining villages, while staying closer to their families. Set up on 4 acres, this BPO centre will initially hire 300 people and gradually increase that number. In line with the Digital India campaign, this initiative will increase digital development by providing jobs to people in rural India. ORF has tied up with Rural shores to run this centre. The social development in Dhavalgaon has received accolades from Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad as part of his review of the BPO promotion Scheme of the STPI.

Additionally, this center will also serve as a crop science helpline, which will enable farmers from rural Maharashtra to seek help in getting information about harvesting of certain crops, using fertilizers and for the use of digital media to maximize productivity. ORF is also setting up a digitally enabled library for the benefit of farmers at this centre and is helping primary schools in the area to upgrade their infrastructure.

Mr. Ramesh Mengawade, Executive Chairman at Opus said, “It is important to augment farming income in rural areas with other earning opportunities for the youth in their native place. The main aim of this initiative, is to create employment for the local youth in smaller, more remote villages and help in their overall growth and development. We are delighted that this project will help with the digitalization of India’s rural economy. In addition, Opus Rural Foundation is committed towards making an impact in select villages by providing skill development and self-employment opportunities. We will also work with Village Panchayats for the use of digital technologies to improve the lives of farmers.”

ORF on a continuous basis supports schools in rural areas go digital, helps train rural youth with new skills and promotes green initiatives such as afforestation. The first center by ORF was set up in 2011 and has since brought about employment for more than 500 youth from time to time.