THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BONGAIGAON, JULY 31, 2026

Urging young girls to dream fearlessly, pursue education with determination, believe in their own abilities and become responsible custodians of the environment, Dr. Sonali Ghosh, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Addl. PCCF), Council Head of the Department (CHD), Forest, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), and Field Director, Manas Tiger Reserve, inspired the participants of NTPC Bongaigaon's Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) 2026 during an enriching interaction at the GEM Centre.

A distinguished Indian Forest Service officer, Dr. Ghosh is widely recognised for her outstanding contributions to wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship. She also holds the distinction of being the first woman Field Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kaziranga National Park, making her journey a remarkable example of leadership, perseverance and excellence.

Interacting with the 50 young participants of the month-long residential programme, Dr. Ghosh encouraged the girls to dream fearlessly, pursue education with determination and believe in their own abilities. Drawing from her personal and professional experiences, she explained how dedication, discipline and a clear sense of purpose can help overcome challenges and achieve extraordinary success.

Speaking passionately about forests, wildlife and biodiversity, she emphasised that protecting nature is not merely the responsibility of forest officials but a collective duty of every citizen. She encouraged the girls to become ambassadors of environmental conservation by adopting sustainable habits, planting trees, conserving water and inspiring others to protect the natural world.

The interactive session witnessed enthusiastic participation from the girls, who asked thoughtful questions about wildlife, forests, the Indian Forest Service, conservation efforts and career opportunities. Responding patiently to every query, Dr. Ghosh shared inspiring anecdotes from her years of service, including experiences from Kaziranga and Manas Tiger Reserve, motivating the participants to develop curiosity, confidence and compassion towards nature.

Adding a visual dimension to the session, Dr. Ghosh screened an informative documentary on Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, introducing the girls to its rich biodiversity, endangered species, conservation initiatives and global ecological significance. The film enabled the participants to gain a deeper appreciation of the importance of preserving India's invaluable natural heritage and reinforced the need for collective efforts towards environmental conservation.

The interaction beautifully complemented the holistic objectives of the Girl Empowerment Mission by seamlessly integrating environmental awareness with leadership, confidence building and life skills, enabling the participants to develop into socially responsible and environmentally conscious citizens.

As a mark of gratitude for her inspiring interaction and valuable contribution to the programme, Arnab Maitra, Executive Director & Head of Project, NTPC Bongaigaon, felicitated Dr. Sonali Ghosh in the presence of Amit Kumar Asthana, Head of Human Resources, Kumar Vikram, Head of Environment Management Department, senior officials and members of the GEM Committee.

The Girl Empowerment Mission, NTPC's flagship Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, continues to provide young girls with opportunities to interact with accomplished personalities from diverse fields, enabling them to learn from inspiring role models, broaden their aspirations and build confidence for the future. Dr. Sonali Ghosh's inspiring interaction added yet another memorable chapter to the transformational journey of GEM 2026, encouraging the participants to emerge as confident leaders, responsible citizens and committed protectors of the environment.