NTPC Bongaigaon Hosts Two-Day Anand Mela Celebrating Assam’s Musical and Cultural Heritage
Bongaigaon : NTPC Bongaigaon, in collaboration with the Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club, successfully organised a two-day Anand Mela on 1st and 2nd February 2026 under the evocative theme “Junaki Mon”, celebrating the light, love, and joy inherent in Assam’s rich musical heritage. The event paid tribute to the iconic musical legacy of the state while showcasing the region’s vibrant cultural and entrepreneurial spirit.
The mela was inaugurated by Shri Arindam Sinha, Regional Executive Director (ER-II & SR), NTPC Limited, in the presence of Shri Arnab Maitra, Business Unit Head, NTPC Bongaigaon; Smt. Rupali Sinha, President, Vasudha Mahila Mandal (ER-II) and Dakshin Deepanjali Mahila Samiti (Southern Region), NTPC Limited; and Smt. Kasturi Maitra, President, Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club, NTPC Bongaigaon. Senior dignitaries including Shri Anurag Gupta, GM (O&M), NTPC Bongaigaon, along with representatives of unions, associations, and welfare bodies, were also present on the occasion.
The Anand Mela emerged as a vibrant confluence of culture, innovation, and community participation, with over 30 stalls offering traditional delicacies from across the North East and beyond, curated by members of the Ladies Club. The stalls also showcased ethnic handicrafts, handlooms, organic food products, and finely crafted cane and bamboo furniture.
Life-size selfie stands of Assam’s Musical Icon, Zubeen Garg, honouring his immense contribution to Assamese music, along with creatively designed selfie points featuring iconic musical instruments such as the Pepa and interactive “Know Your Music” installations placed across various corners of the venue, emerged as major crowd-pullers and added a contemporary and engaging dimension to the Anand Mela experience.
Special stalls 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 drew significant interest from visitors.
Shri Pankaj Chakravarty, District Commissioner, Kokrajhar, visited the stalls and appreciated the craftsmanship while sampling the diverse flavours 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 growing entrepreneurial dynamism.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Arindam Sinha highlighted NTPC Bongaigaon’s contribution in ensuring reliable power supply to the region and the nation, while appreciating the initiative for bringing together families, vendors, and stakeholders and encouraging sustainable practices rooted in local traditions. Shri Arnab Maitra acknowledged the collective efforts of the members of the Ladies Club under the leadership of Smt. Kasturi Maitra in making the event successful, noting that the theme seamlessly aligned music, cultural identity, and regional heritage. Earlier, Smt. Kasturi Maitra delivered the welcome address and spoke on the intent of the mela, highlighting its objective of promoting the welfare initiatives of the club and contributing meaningfully to society.
Cultural performances by troupes from the Bodoland Territorial Region and across the North East added colour and vibrancy to the celebrations, with special performances by local artists from Guwahati captivating the audience. Samannay Sanskriti Gosthi, cultural troupe from Guwahati, delivered a distinctive and engaging performance showcasing a wide range of traditional musical instruments, bringing their sounds and cultural significance alive on stage. Game stalls managed by NTPC employees,musical performances by employees and family members along with enthusiastic participation from Bal Bhawan, created an atmosphere of joy and inclusivity. Ladies Club stalls on the first day, creatively decorated on the theme of music, drew 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 Shri J. K. Brahma, the first Head of Project, NTPC Bongaigaon, along with Smt. Harani Brahma, the first President of the Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club; Shri L. N. Meitei, Commandant, CISF; Smt. S. Ghosh, General Secretary, Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club; Shri Ashish Kumar, Dy. Commandant, CISF; Shri 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.
