The Girl Empowerment Mission (GEM) 2025 at NTPC Korba marked a momentous day on May 31st as part of its Role Model Initiative, the cornerstone of the program’s mission to empower and uplift young girls. This year’s special guest was none other than Shruti Yadav, the pride of Chhattisgarh, a national-level shooter, and the first female shooter from the state, fondly known as the Golden Girl of Chhattisgarh.
As part of the NTPC Korba’s GEM program, the Role Model Initiative brings in accomplished professionals from various fields—ranging from sports to district administration—to interact, inspire, and ignite ambition in the young GEM girls. The presence of Shruti Yadav added a new dimension of motivation and aspiration to the program.
Shruti Yadav’s visit added a new dimension of motivation and aspiration to the program. As the first-ever female shooter from Chhattisgarh to qualify for the Indian Shooting Team Trial Quest, Shruti has broken barriers and set high standards in the shooting sports arena. Her impressive track record includes two gold medals at the European Masters Games 2019 in Torino, Italy (10 Meter Air Pistol and 25 Meter Sport Pistol events), multiple national and state championship medals, and notable international achievements.
During her interaction, Shruti Yadav shared her journey, spoke about overcoming challenges, and encouraged the girls to dream fearlessly and aim high. She also conducted an engaging session where she displayed and explained various shooting gadgets and equipment, offering the girls a hands-on look at the tools of a champion shooter.
Many from underrepresented backgrounds, Shruti shared her remarkable journey marked by grit, discipline, and self-belief. She spoke candidly about overcoming challenges and the importance of mental strength, focus, and dedication—not only as a shooter but as life skills vital for any path. “Your mind is your most powerful weapon—aim high, stay steady, and never stop believing in your target,” she told the girls, many seeing a national-level athlete up close for the first time.
Her session was a powerful reminder that with dedication, discipline, and self-belief, no dream is too far to reach. The GEM girls, many of whom are from underrepresented backgrounds, found a true role model in Shruti Yadav—someone who once stood where they stand today and is now a symbol of excellence and empowerment.
The Role Model Initiative continues to be the USP of the NTPC Korba’s GEM program, creating lasting impressions and transformational experiences for every GEM participant. With leaders like Shruti Yadav showing the way, the future is indeed bright for these young changemakers.
GEM is a flagship initiative by NTPC aimed at empowering young girls through holistic development, education, exposure, and mentoring, nurturing them into confident, self-reliant individuals prepared to lead the future.
