NPL helping women take charge of the developmental push in villages
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in
Acknowledging the contributions being made by Nabha Power Limited (NPL), which operates the 2x700mw supercritical Rajpura Thermal Power Plant, many women leaders lauded its efforts claiming that women empowerment initiatives of the thermal plant have helped them take charge of the development push in their native villages in Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib districts.
Speaking during an event organised to mark International Women’s Day at the Bhappal village, Gurpreet Kaur, sarpanch of Ugani village said, “Nabha Power Limited is playing the role of an enabler by supporting the women through its ingenuities. By promoting skill development centres, women self-employment groups, launching scholarship programmes for meritious girl students and running women centred welfare schemes, NPL has brought a paradigm shift in the status of women in the villages.”
Kaur said. “As of today, the cluster of 49 villages of Patiala and Fatehgarh Sahib, which are covered under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, 29 villages have women sarpanches and there are 119 women panches. This has put the women in a position to push the developmental change in the villages.”
Interacting with the media persons, Chief Executive of Nabha Power Limited, Athar Shahab said, “NPL has initiated various programs for the upliftment of the women which has encouraged their participation in social activities. NPL is working closely with women leaders and by promoting skill training centres, women self-help groups (SHGs), offering scholarships to meritorious girl students and supporting health and Anganwadi workers, NPL has created a positive impact on the local communities.”
Under the skill development programme training has been imparted to a large number of women in trades like jute products, tailoring, phulkari and beautician. Many who underwent training have started their entrepreneurial journeys and are earning a respectable income. Under the self-help group, NPL is promoting group-based income-generating activities to enable women to become financially independent. To enhance their capabilities, these women are also provided with training, material support, linkage with financial agencies and market exposure through participation in exhibitions.
During the event, NPL honoured many women leaders including sarpanches, panches, teachers, health and Anganwadi workers. Member of the Red Arts from the Punjabi University, Patiala, staged a play on women rights and gender equality.
March 8,2021
