Girl Empowerment Mission–2025 Workshop kicks off at NTPC Singrauli

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

LUCKNOW, MAY 21, 2025

NTPC’s flagship “Mother Plant” at Singrauli has inaugurated its annual summer-session of the Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) workshop, scheduled to run from May 20 to June 18, 2025. The opening ceremony was conducted with great enthusiasm, in the presence of senior leadership and distinguished guests.

The month-long residential program was formally inaugurated by N.S. Rao, Regional Executive Director (North), along with Vijaya Rao, President of the Uttara Club. Also in attendance were E. Satya Phani Kumar, Executive Director (Vindhyachal); Rajeev Akotkar, Executive Director (Singrauli); Anil Shrivastava, Executive Director (Rihand), along with other senior officials and dignitaries.

In his keynote address, N.S. Rao congratulated the participants and their parents for their wholehearted engagement with GEM 2025. He emphasized that since its inception in 2018, GEM has become a flagship CSR initiative of NTPC, setting a benchmark for girl-centric education and empowerment programs.

Rao noted that the mission has consistently delivered quality education to school-going girls from underserved communities in the vicinity of NTPC project sites. Many of these girls have gone on to continue their education and now return as GEM ambassadors, inspiring new cohorts. He also introduced “GEM 2.0,” an upcoming expansion of the current curriculum designed to enhance the learning experience.

Encouraging the participants, he urged them to make the most of every opportunity provided during the workshop — to discover their potential, strive for excellence, and emerge as future role models.

In his welcome remarks, Rajeev Akotkar underscored the crucial role of women’s empowerment in community development. He commended NTPC Singrauli’s holistic CSR initiatives aimed at uplifting rural schoolgirls and highlighted the growing interest in the workshop, evidenced by increasing participation year after year.

To commemorate the inauguration, GEM participants showcased cultural performances and shared heartfelt reflections on their experiences. Additionally, outstanding students from classes 10 and 12 at Vivekananda School were felicitated for their academic excellence.

This year, under the Girl Empowerment Mission, 120 girls from sixth grade across neighbouring villages are enrolled in the workshop. NTPC Singrauli is providing them with residential facilities and a comprehensive program including life skills and personality development sessions, sports coaching, self-defense training, arts and crafts instruction, and on-site medical support — fostering holistic growth and empowerment.