Thursday, October 3, 2024

My Father’s Grand Retirement from NTPC

 Today will be etched into our family’s history forever!🥰💕

September 30th, 2024 marks the end of an era. My Papa, Shri Atul Gupta is officially retiring after almost 40 years of dedication, hard work, and passion at NTPC ! It's hard to put into words how much he’s accomplished throughout his career and the incredible impact he's made on everyone around him. He's been a source of strength, wisdom, and love, not just to my family but to everyone who has had the honor of working with him. 

After 40 years of unwavering dedication, my father is finally hanging up his badge (or should I say, his NTPC safety helmet). It feels surreal to even write this because, for as long as I can remember, my father and NTPC have been synonymous. If you ever needed a book on 'work can be a love affair', my father’s career would be a Bestseller novel

A Work Ethic Like No Other

My father’s relationship with work is something out of a legend. While people treat paid leaves like treasure, he treated them like a liability. He genuinely believed that if he took a day off, NTPC might just switch off! Colleagues joked that he had an invisible power switch hidden in his pocket, which he refused to turn off, no matter what.

Over the decades, he played multiple roles—meticulously balancing the responsibilities of an employee, a leader, and a mentor. He was never just ‘doing his job’; he was deeply invested in the future of the power sector in India. Whether it was new technologies, sustainability initiatives, or strategies for a greener future, he was always ready to explore, learn, and implement.

His leadership was never about delegating; it was about doing. He led by example, never hesitating to roll up his sleeves and get into action. If a junior made a mistake, he would mentor them and enable them to follow the right direction themselves. If a teammate was in distress, he wouldn’t just offer words but solutions. There’s a saying: “A great boss can change your life.” I know for a fact that papa has changed many.

One of the hardest times in his life was when he was suffering from Sciatica for almost a year; he was completely bedridden just after COVID-19. My mother stood by him like a rock and gave him all the right things to make him stand on his feet again. She made sure he has his nutrition and medicines on time, do his physiotherapy, and gave instructions to papa's driver to make sure papa isn't overstressing at work. His colleagues gave him so much support at the office base so that his work became easy.

You’re a true fighter papa… 

Now that he’s stepping into retirement, the real question is— How will NTPC cope without him? (They better have a contingency plan!). For a man who has spent four decades ensuring the lights never go out, it’s finally time for him to switch off and relax. But knowing him, he will likely find a new passion, a new mission, and a new way to keep himself busy. Because powerhouses don’t just shut down—they reinvent.

💫My beloved Papa, I’ve always admired your drive, your ability to lead with compassion, and the way you gave your all (and I mean YOUR ALL) no matter the challenge. You’ve shown me what it means to truly be passionate about what you do, to always be there for those who need you, and to never stop learning. 

It was a proud moment for us to witness this moment with my entire family ♥

As you step into this new chapter, I hope you take time to relax with maa, enjoy every moment, and do all the things you've always dreamed of. You’ve earned it more than anyone I know! Here’s to your well-deserved retirement, to more family time, more laughter, and more memories to be made. 

I love you, papa. Enjoy every second – the best is yet to come. ❤