THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BONGAIGAON, FEBRUARY 3, 2026

NTPC Bongaigaon, in collaboration with the Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club, successfully organised a two-day Anand Mela on February 1 and 2, 2026, under the evocative theme “Junaki Mon”, celebrating the light, love and joy embedded in Assam’s rich musical and cultural heritage. The vibrant event paid tribute to the state’s iconic musical legacy while highlighting the region’s dynamic cultural expression and growing entrepreneurial spirit.

The mela was inaugurated by Arindam Sinha, Regional Executive Director (ER-II & SR), NTPC Limited, in the presence of Arnab Maitra, Business Unit Head, NTPC Bongaigaon; Rupali Sinha, President, Vasudha Mahila Mandal (ER-II) and Dakshin Deepanjali Mahila Samiti (Southern Region), NTPC Limited; and Kasturi Maitra, President, Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club, NTPC Bongaigaon. Senior dignitaries, including Anurag Gupta, General Manager (O&M), NTPC Bongaigaon, along with representatives of unions, associations and welfare bodies, were also present on the occasion.

The Anand Mela evolved into a lively confluence of culture, creativity and community participation, featuring over 30 stalls curated by members of the Ladies Club. These stalls offered an array of traditional delicacies from across the North East and beyond, alongside displays of ethnic handicrafts, handlooms, organic food products, and intricately crafted cane and bamboo furniture.

Adding a contemporary and interactive dimension to the festivities, life-size selfie stands of Assam’s musical icon Zubeen Garg, honouring his immense contribution to Assamese music, emerged as major crowd-pullers. Creatively designed selfie points showcasing iconic musical instruments such as the Pepa, along with interactive “Know Your Music” installations placed across the venue, further enriched the visitor experience.

Special stalls set up by the Entrepreneurship Development Centre of Self-Help Groups undergoing skill development at the NTPC Bongaigaon township showcased sustainable products made from areca, while eco-friendly toy stalls by Zankla Studio attracted considerable interest from visitors of all age groups.

Pankaj Chakravarty, District Commissioner, Kokrajhar, visited the mela, interacted with stall owners, appreciated the craftsmanship on display, and sampled the diverse culinary offerings of the region. Stalls by NTPC’s medical, IT and safety departments, Self-Help Groups from across the North East, and automobile companies from Bongaigaon and other parts of Assam reflected the region’s expanding entrepreneurial dynamism.

Addressing the gathering, Arindam Sinha highlighted NTPC Bongaigaon’s vital role in ensuring reliable power supply to the region and the nation, while commending the initiative for bringing together families, vendors and stakeholders and encouraging sustainable practices rooted in local traditions. Arnab Maitra acknowledged the collective efforts of the Ladies Club members under the leadership of Kasturi Maitra in making the event a success, noting that the theme beautifully aligned music with cultural identity and regional heritage. Earlier, Kasturi Maitra delivered the welcome address, outlining the intent of the mela and emphasising its objective of promoting the club’s welfare initiatives and contributing meaningfully to society.

Cultural performances by troupes from the Bodoland Territorial Region and other parts of the North East added colour and vibrancy to the celebrations, with special performances by local artists from Guwahati captivating the audience. Samannay Sanskriti Gosthi, a cultural troupe from Guwahati, presented a distinctive and engaging performance featuring a wide range of traditional musical instruments, vividly bringing their sounds and cultural significance to life on stage. Game stalls managed by NTPC employees, musical performances by employees and their family members, and enthusiastic participation from Bal Bhawan created an atmosphere of joy and inclusivity. The creatively decorated Ladies Club stalls on the first day, themed around music, drew widespread appreciation from guests and visitors alike.

As part of a meaningful CSR initiative, NTPC Bongaigaon distributed educational kits and winter wear to 48 girls under the Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM), reaffirming its commitment to education, skill development and gender equality.

The event was further graced by the presence of J. K. Brahma, the first Head of Project, NTPC Bongaigaon, along with Harani Brahma, the first President of the Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club; L. N. Meitei, Commandant, CISF; S. Ghosh, General Secretary, Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club; Ashish Kumar, Deputy Commandant, CISF; Amit Kumar Asthana, AGM (HR), NTPC Bongaigaon; officials from district and state administration; Heads of Departments; and representatives of unions, associations and welfare bodies.

The Anand Mela reflected NTPC Bongaigaon’s sustained focus on employee engagement and well-being under its wellness policy “Ahwahan”, while strengthening community connect, promoting local talent, and celebrating the cultural vibrancy of Assam and the Bodoland Territorial Region. Through such initiatives, NTPC continues to deepen its bond with the community while contributing to inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.