New Delhi: NTPC Bongaigaon’s Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) 2026 received a major boost as Dr Sonali Ghosh, IFS, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Addl. PCCF), Council Head of the Department (CHD), Forest, Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), and Field Director of Manas Tiger Reserve, interacted with participants of the month-long residential programme.
The motivational session inspired 50 young girls to dream big, pursue quality education, develop leadership qualities, and actively contribute to environmental conservation.
Dr Sonali Ghosh Motivates Young Participants
During the interactive session, Dr Ghosh shared her journey in the Indian Forest Service (IFS) and encouraged the girls to believe in their abilities, remain disciplined, and work with determination to achieve their goals.
Widely respected for her contribution to wildlife conservation, Dr Ghosh also holds the distinction of being the first woman Field Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Kaziranga National Park, making her an inspiring role model for young students.
She urged participants to become responsible citizens by adopting sustainable practices such as:
- Planting trees
- Conserving water
- Protecting forests and wildlife
- Promoting environmental awareness in their communities
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Interactive Session on Wildlife Conservation and Careers
The programme witnessed enthusiastic participation as the girls asked questions about:
- Wildlife conservation
- Forest ecosystems
- Biodiversity
- Indian Forest Service (IFS)
- Career opportunities in environmental protection
Dr Ghosh answered each query by sharing real-life experiences from her work at Kaziranga National Park and Manas Tiger Reserve, encouraging students to remain curious, confident, and compassionate toward nature.
She also screened an educational documentary on Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, highlighting its rich biodiversity, endangered species, conservation initiatives, and global ecological importance.
Supporting NTPC’s Girl Empowerment Mission
The interaction closely aligned with the objectives of NTPC’s Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM), which focuses on empowering young girls through education, leadership development, life skills, confidence building, and social awareness.
As part of 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 NTPC officials
- Members of the GEM Committee
The session became one of the highlights of GEM 2026, reinforcing NTPC’s commitment to nurturing future women leaders through meaningful interactions with accomplished professionals.
Promoting Leadership and Environmental Responsibility
NTPC Bongaigaon’s Girl Empowerment Mission continues to provide young girls with opportunities to learn from distinguished personalities across various fields.
The interaction with Dr Sonali Ghosh not only enhanced participants’ understanding of wildlife conservation and environmental sustainability but also encouraged them to develop leadership qualities, self-confidence, and a strong sense of social responsibility.
About NTPC Bongaigaon
NTPC Bongaigaon, a unit of NTPC Limited, is a thermal power station located in Assam and plays an important role in the company’s power generation portfolio in Northeast India. Along with supplying reliable electricity, the station actively undertakes community development initiatives through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes, including education, healthcare, women empowerment, skill development, and environmental conservation. The Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) is one of NTPC’s flagship CSR initiatives aimed at empowering young girls through education, personality development, life skills, and leadership training.
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