THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BONGAIGAON, JULY 5, 2026

NTPC Bongaigaon has launched the fifth edition of its flagship Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) 2026, reaffirming its commitment to empowering young girls from rural communities through education, leadership development and life-skills training. The month-long residential programme was inaugurated on July 4 with enthusiasm and a renewed focus on nurturing confident, capable and socially responsible future leaders.

The inaugural ceremony was graced by Jaikumar Srinivasan, Director (Finance), NTPC Limited, in the presence of Arnab Maitra, Head of Project, NTPC Bongaigaon; Kasturi Maitra, President, Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club; and Anurag Gupta, General Manager (O&M), NTPC Bongaigaon.

This year's edition has enrolled 50 girls from 12 neighbouring schools, an increase of 10 participants compared to previous editions. Designed for girls aged 10 to 12 years, the four-week residential programme aims to foster self-confidence, leadership qualities, life skills and social responsibility. The inaugural function began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by the rendition of the NTPC theme song, symbolising the organisation's enduring commitment to progress and empowerment.

The event witnessed the participation of senior officials, including L. N. Meitei, Commandant, CISF, Amit Kumar Asthana, Head of HR, along with representatives of unions and associations, welfare bodies, teachers, parents and guardians of the participating girls.

A short film highlighting the journey and preparations for GEM 2026 was screened during the event. The programme also featured vibrant cultural performances by the welfare girls of Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club and students of Notre Dame Academy. Alumni from the GEM 2023 batch shared inspiring testimonials about how the initiative transformed their lives and helped them achieve their aspirations. Students also presented a thought-provoking performance inspired by the life and ideals of Malala Yousafzai, emphasising the transformative role of education in empowering the girl child.

Addressing the gathering, Jaikumar Srinivasan underscored the importance of empowering girls as a means of building stronger families and communities and lauded NTPC Bongaigaon for creating a nurturing and inspiring environment for the participants. He later visited the residential facilities, interacted with the girls, and distributed bicycles to all 50 participants as a gesture of encouragement and support for their educational journey.

In his address, Arnab Maitra reaffirmed NTPC's commitment to education, empowerment, and inclusive growth, describing GEM as one of the organization's flagship initiatives that shapes confident, capable, and socially responsible future women leaders.

Scheduled from July 4 to July 31, 2026, the residential programme offers a comprehensive curriculum encompassing academic learning, personality development, digital literacy, sports, creative arts, health and wellness sessions, exposure visits and a range of activities designed to enhance the participants' physical, mental and emotional well-being. Amit Kumar Asthana, Head of HR, proposed the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to parents, teachers, volunteers, organising committees and all stakeholders for their unwavering support in making the initiative successful.

Since its inception in 2022, the Girl Empowerment Mission at NTPC Bongaigaon has empowered 210 girls, including the participants of the current edition, reflecting the organisation's sustained commitment to nurturing talent from rural communities. A distinctive feature of the programme is that 10 per cent of the participants, selected through an independent evaluation by an external agency, are offered free education at the township school, enabling deserving students to continue their studies in a conducive learning environment and ensuring the initiative's long-term impact.

Across the country, the Girl Empowerment Mission has empowered more than 13,000 girls at various NTPC locations, underscoring the company's commitment to social responsibility, gender equality and sustainable community development. Through the initiative, NTPC continues to inspire young girls to dream big, realise their full potential and emerge as future leaders of society.