NTPC Bongaigaon and Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club Organize Vibrant “Anand Mela” Celebrating Sustainability and Culture Inbox

Bongaigaon: NTPC Bongaigaon, in collaboration with the Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club, successfully hosted a two-day Anand Mela on February 8-9, 2025, under the theme “Sustainable Shoots of North East.” The event spotlighted bamboo and its sustainable products, emphasizing the region’s rich cultural and entrepreneurial heritage.

The Mela was inaugurated by Shri Arindam Sinha, Regional Executive Director, ER-II, in the presence of Smt. Masanda M Pertin, IAS, District Commissioner, Kokrajhar; Shri Arnab Maitra, Business Unit Head, NTPC Bongaigaon; Smt. Rupali Sinha, President, Vasudha Mahila Mandal, ER-II; and Smt. Kasturi Maitra, President, Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club. The event was also attended by senior dignitaries, including Shri Debabrata Kar, GM (O&M); Shri Asutosh Biswas, GM (Operation); Smt. Soumya Kar, Vice President, Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club; and Smt. Jhumita Biswas, Senior Member, Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club.

The Anand Mela transformed into a vibrant hub of culture, innovation, and community spirit, featuring over 30 stalls showcasing traditional delicacies across North East and beyond prepared by the members of the ladies’ club, ethnic handicrafts, handlooms, organic food items, and intricately designed cane and bamboo furniture. A special stall of the items made by Kokrajhar Jail Inmates on sustainable products of bamboo and cane added a lot of attraction by the visitors during the Mela. Smt. Masanda M Pertin, IAS, explored the stalls, appreciating the craftsmanship and savoring the flavors of the North East. Adding to the event’s diversity, medical, IT, and safety departments, stalls by the Self Help Groups of North East along with automobile companies from Bongaigaon and Assam, also participated, reflecting the region’s dynamic entrepreneurial spirit. 

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Arindam Sinha lauded NTPC Bongaigaon’s role in ensuring a steady power supply to the region and the nation. He commended the initiative for bringing together vendors, families, and stakeholders while promoting sustainable practices and local heritage.Shri Arnab Maitra acknowledged the contributions of the senior leadership and the ladies’ clubs of NTPC Bongaigaon making the event a success, emphasizing the theme’s alignment with sustainability and regional identity. Cultural performances by talented troupes from the Bodoland Territorial Region and the North East added to the festivities, with a special performance by the all-female band of North East-Hurricane Girls captivating the audience with their synchronized symphonies. Game stalls set up by NTPC employees, along with participation from Bal Bhawan, fostered an atmosphere of joy and engagement.

In a significant CSR initiative, NTPC Bongaigaon distributed solar lanterns to 40 girls under the Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) 2024, reaffirming its commitment to education, skill development, and gender equality. Shri Arindam Sinha and Shri Arnab Maitra, alongside members of the ladies’ club, personally handed over the solar lanterns, reinforcing NTPC’s dedication to empowering young minds. 

The event was further enriched by mesmerizing ethnic dance performances and cultural programs featuring renowned artists from Assam and the North East. Adding to the grandeur of the occasion were the presence of Shri G.M. Thangzom, Commandant, CISF; Smt. S Ghosh, General Secretary, Bardwi Shikla Ladies Club; Shri Ashish Kumar, Dy. Commandant, CISF; Shri Onkar Nath, AGM (HR); Shri Paresh Mathur, AGM (TS); officials from the district and state administration; Heads of Departments from NTPC Bongaigaon; and representatives of unions and associations, welfare bodies and other officials.

The Anand Mela depicts NTPC Bongaigaon’s commitment to fostering employee engagement and its well being under its wellness policy “Ahwahan” and portrays community engagement, supporting local talent, and celebrating the cultural vibrancy of the Bodoland Territorial Region and Assam. Through such initiatives, NTPC continues to strengthen its bond with the community while championing sustainability and socio-economic development.