From Preetam Brahma Choudhury
Kokrajhar: The four-week Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) organised by NTPC Bongaigaon starts at NTPC premises at Salakati in Kokrajhar.
Kokrajhar Deputy Commissioner Varnali Deka inaugurated the programme in presence of Executive Director, NTPC Bongaigaon Subrata Mandal and other senior officials.
NTPC GEM programme will empower girls from across the country and make them aware of basic education, health and self-defence. With this initiative, NTPC aims to help these girls break the glass ceiling and dispel the misconception about female foeticide in rural areas.
Subrata Mandal, Executive Director, NTPC Bongaigaon said the NTPC started GEM in 2018, and contributed to the empowerment of underprivileged girls in the vicinity of its project locations. The shortlisted 40 girls of age group 10-12 years have come a long way right from the baseline survey, medical examination, registration process and finally at this campus.
“Till date, NTPC has empowered more than 4500 girls across the nation, he highlighted. He thanked the BTR Government, district administration and the Department of Education in supporting NTPC Bongaigaon since the conceptualisation of the program, he added.
In her speech, Kokrajhar DC Varnali Deka lauded the initiative taken by the NTPC saying “NTPC has provided a great platform for empowerment of girls to showcase their talents and capabilities which will nurture their creativity and sharpen their psychological, social and emotional growth for lifetime. “NTPC as an energy company has set an example by doing such noble initiatives which volumes about the commitment of the company towards community development, she said.
Jayasree Mandal, President Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club also spoke on the occasion where she said, women have always played an important role towards laying the foundation stone of a value-based society and NTPC GEM program is that foundation stone which will enable the society to respect and make women independent and self-reliant.
The girls are being shortlisted in association with the Deptt of Education, Kokrajhar and with the assistance of District Administration, Health Deptt and BTC Administration. In the coming 4 weeks, the girls will be provided training on different subjects, life skills and will be engaged in extracurricular activities such as outdoor games, puppetry, yoga etc. The CSR initiative will ensure that the girl child grows into a well-rounded adult, with ample curiosity and quality communication and social skills.
The program was attended by Umesh Singh, GM (O&M), Arunashis Das, GM (Projects), Sanjay Pandey, GM (FGD), G.M.Thangzom, Deputy Commandant, CISF, parents of the children, school principals, chairperson of VCDCs, senior officials of CISF and NTPC, employees, union and associations and NTPC wards.
