BPO goes to Andhra villages

HYDERABAD: In what is considered as a trendsetter, the corporate social responsibility wing of Satyam Group - Byrraju foundation, today kicked off GramIT - a rural BPO initiative.

GramIT centers are 50-seater facilities that can employ 100 educated unemployed youth. It aims at providing a three-month training program for associates who will later undertake transaction processing and subsequently take on voice processing.

As a first customer, Satyam Computer Services outsourced of some of its internal processes concerning HR, bookkeeping, administration, etc.

Dr Y S Rajashekar Reddy, chief minister, Andhra Pradesh, today declared open the first GramIT at JalliKakinada in West Godavari district. Addressing the gathering, Reddy, said, “Byrraju's effort to turn villages into successful wealth generating models is an innovative solution. Educated unemployed youth no more need to migrate in search of jobs. This initiative will, as well create good employment opportunities in remote rural villages.”

Ramalinga Raju, chairman, Satyam, said, “Fifteen years back, thinking about setting up a facility in villages always fetched a categorical no. Not anymore. Distances have disappeared on account of technology and affordability and access to communication is increased. GramIT is an attempt to foster a PPP model and also to shift services jobs to villages.”

Raju further said, “JalliKakinada has a population of around 1,600 and thereby employing 100 in GramIT, we will reduce to the congestion in cities. Above all, India Inc, will start seeing companies offering services from global villages. This is just a beginning.”