A week-long Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) Winter workshop was held from Oct7 – Oct 13, 2019 in NTPC Talcher Kaniha. The workshop was organized as a follow-up program to the Summer Workshop held earlier this year. To motivate the GEM students, an interaction ceremony with Shri Manoj Kr. Mohanty, Collector & District Magistrate, Angul was organized on Oct 11, where Executive Director, Shri Ramesh Babu V along with GMs, HODs, senior officials and employees were also present.
A total of 108 girls from nearby village schools participated in the follow-up workshop which was aimed at maintaining continuity in their learning process. Addressing the gathering, Chief Guest, Shri Manoj Kr. Mohanty highlighted the issues associated with gender discrimination and the social stigma that lies underneath. He spoke positively about NTPC’s contribution towards women empowerment through this workshop. He also added that such initiatives should continue to ensure the upliftment and development of the schoolgirls in the region. Taking examples of contemporary women achievers like Kalpana Chawla, he further encouraged the GEM girls to aspire, dream, and excel beyond their potential.Highlighting the importance of the GEM workshop, Executive Director NTPC Kaniha, Shri Ramesh Babu V spoke extensively about the range of activities that were designed for the schoolgirls during the workshop. “The primary objective is that these students should be able to retain the knowledge and inspiration they have gained during workshop”, he said. He mentioned the prime significance that education has on NTPC’s CSR initiatives. Wishing the GEM students with a bright future, he said, “We hope these girls will act as advocates of better knowledge and multi-disciplinary skills in their respective villages and schools.”Ms. Arunima Patra, Founder of Tanvi Consultancy Services expressed deepest gratitude to NTPC for organizing the GEM workshop which enables an encouraging environment for the girls. She said, “NTPC has provided this learning opportunity which is acting as a bridge for enhancing the potential of the students.” Interacting with the students, she told them always to maintain high energy and positive vibe in life.The evening also showcased multi-cultural dance performances by students from various states and kept the audience mesmerized. Apart from dance performances, the event also saw a screening of short films that gave glimpses of NTPC Kaniha’s CSR initiatives.
The GEM interaction ceremony also coincided with the International Day of the Girl Child. The event concluded with GEM girls sharing their experience of the workshop and describing the skills they have built upon. The GEM Winter Workshop will conclude on Oct 13 at NTPC Talcher Kaniha.
