Canadian Punjabi returns to his roots to empower women

Life is a journey full of twists and turns, ups and downs, and unexpected surprises. Every individual’s journey is unique, and we all strive to make the most of the opportunities that come our way. The most rewarding journey, however, is one where we give back to society and uplift those who need support the most.

I grew up in Rupnagar, a small town in the northern state of Punjab. After graduating from the nearby city of Chandigarh, I went to Canada to study international business management at Centennial College, Toronto. I worked across Canada for an international financial institution and became successful.

However, something kept calling me back to my hometown, Rupnagar. My soul would always feel like being in India and helping the local people. And I decided to listen to my inner voice.

Training local talent

I felt the need to uplift young talent in my hometown, especially girls who were bright and intelligent but lacked guidance, exposure, and presentation skills. 

I decided to give opportunities to these young talents in my hometown and started to train them in digital marketing and content, as a career guide to enable them to be on par with the talent in larger cities. 

To help them get placed, I proposed to my current employer to hire local resources and train them, which was approved. So I went on to hire and started training young people in my small office setup.

Employed and empowered 

This initiative turned out to be successful soon and in just 2-3 years, these trained talents from a remote town became an essential part of the multinational corporation I work for, proving to be earning hands and strong pillars to their families. 

The impact of this initiative was profound, with some young female staff even expanding their vision and joining other companies in Delhi and Chandigarh, while others were able to fund their higher education from their own earnings. 

“Young people like me are getting guidance, exposure, and industry skills. Working with Onkar Jot sir has not only provided me with a platform to showcase my skills but has also given me the necessary training and direction. I can now contribute financially to my family and earn the respect that otherwise would not be a possibility,” said Rozy, a research executive in Rupnagar.

There are many such testimonials that keep me motivated and continue training them.

Working towards greater impact 

My goal is to start a free-of-cost training centre in a couple of months to absorb and train more young talent, especially girls, believing that when you train a woman, she could uplift her entire family after her marriage, creating a compounding effect.

With the advancement of technology and the availability of 4G and now 5G internet even in remote places, this arrangement saves the corporation costs. It brings hidden talent to the global platform, creating a win-win situation for everyone involved.

In conclusion, my journey is a testament to the fact that anyone can make a difference in the world, no matter how big or small. All it takes is the determination to follow our hearts and use our talents to uplift those around us. We should strive to create opportunities for those who need them the most, and together, we can make the world a better place.

The lead image at the top shows young girls training to technologically empower women in Rupnagar, Punjab (Photo by Onkar Jot Singh)

Onkar Jot Singh trains local talent in his hometown, Rupnagar, to provide them the necessary opportunities to grow.