NTPC Kawas Concludes GEM 2025: Empowering Girls for a Brighter Future

Surat, Gujarat — The successful closing ceremony of NTPC’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative — Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) 2025 — was held on 6th June at NTPC Kawas. The event was presided over by Shri Suresh John David, Head of Project. The ceremony was graced by the presence of Smt. Anu Soni, President, Sakhi Mahila Samiti (HQ, Western Region-I), and Smt. Shanija M. George, President, Swati Mahila Mandal, as distinguished guests.

On this occasion, the participating students enthusiastically shared their GEM experiences through cultural performances and stage plays, highlighting the learnings and values they gained throughout the program.

GEM 2025 was conducted as a fully residential, month-long initiative with a primary objective of ensuring the holistic development of young girls. The program focused on key areas such as yoga, sports, dance, art, creative writing, academic enrichment, computer, health, and hygiene. It emphasized hands-on learning and aimed to equip the girls with skills and awareness that would empower them to contribute meaningfully to society and the nation’s progress.

During the closing ceremony, Shri Suresh John David highlighted that GEM is a significant CSR initiative by NTPC and a transformative effort toward empowering girls from nearby villages through structured education, life skills, and experiential learning. He further added that GEM is not merely a teaching platform, but a journey that fosters confidence, inspiration, and the ability to make informed decisions.

Taking this into consideration, study tours were organized for participants from project-affected villages — Junagam, Rajgiri, Mora, Bhatlai, Damka, Vansva, and Kawas. These tours included visits to Surat International Airport, bird sanctuary, post office, bank, and NTPC Kawas plant. During these visits, officials explained operational systems such as departures, arrivals, baggage handling, and even ATC (Air Traffic Control) functioning in simplified language. The students were given the opportunity to observe and understand institutional operations and technical processes firsthand.

To further promote practical knowledge, special sessions were conducted by NTPC Kawas officials, renowned guest speakers, and academic toppers. These sessions covered a wide range of relevant topics including self-defense, first aid, human anatomy (using torso models), basics of electricity, money management, newspaper reading, water and energy conservation, POCSO Act, fundamental rights, police services, personal hygiene, and fire safety. 

It is noteworthy that Swati Mahila Mandal playes a pivotal role in the success of GEM 2025. The dedicated members of the Mandal stayed with the girls throughout the program, assisting them with meals, academics, and day-to-day care, thereby providing a safe and nurturing environment that resembled a home away from home.

The closing ceremony was also attended by Shri Sanjay Kumar Mittal, Additional General Manager (Operation & Maintenance), Shri Sanjeet Kumar Minz, Additional General Manager (Human Resources), Shri Vineet Gupta, Additional General Manager (Technical Services), along with all department heads, senior officials, and staff members of NTPC Kawas.