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Jagriti Yadav becomes British High Commissioner for a day

Jagriti Yadav, High Commissioner for the Day, said, “It was an intellectually inspiring experience to serve as the British High Commissioner for a day…reports Asian Lite News

Jagriti experienced a broad range of diplomatic activities; including leading meetings with diverse stakeholders, chairing discussions and attending several events during the day. She met the Minister of State for External Affairs and Culture Meenakshi Lekhi, the Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, and the Executive Chairman of Wipro Rishad Premji. Other highlights included interacting with project leads working on the Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions (GATI) project at the British Council and beneficiaries of the Chevening-funded SheLeads project – a women leadership programme that helps aspiring female political leaders.

Jagriti Yadav from Lucknow wins the 6th edition of the ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition held to mark #DayOfTheGirl

Watch how she spent her day doing @UKinIndia’s top diplomat – @AlexWEllis’ role.#SheLeads pic.twitter.com/Fsu9lAD424
— UK in India🇬🇧🇮🇳 (@UKinIndia) October 11, 2022

Alongside Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, she also launched a book honouring 75 Indian Women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics). This year’s competition was made possible through the gracious support of partners Cosmopolitan India, Taj Hotels, and Vistara.

Jagriti Yadav, High Commissioner for the Day, said, “It was an intellectually inspiring experience to serve as the British High Commissioner for a day. My day was full of opportunities – discussions with established business leaders, a meeting with the Mayor of West Yorkshire and interacting with a leading female politician of India about significant obstacles to women’s professional advancement and the value of women as leaders. Meeting the SheLeads project beneficiaries and female STEAM role models was motivating, and I learned about STEAM engagement between the UK and India and the UK’s efforts to advance gender equality. The day gave me the opportunity to learn from a diverse perspective and, as a young woman, it gave me the confidence to be more determined and considerate towards the role of women in society.”

Alex Ellis, Deputy High Commissioner for the Day (on other days, High Commissioner to India), said, “The High Commissioner for a Day is an event I look forward to every year. Jagriti is articulate and focused and shows the talent across India. As women rise, we all rise. The UK and India do a lot together to promote gender equality, including on research and education. I’m delighted that 50% of the Chevening scholarships for India this year were awarded to women. The UK is a world leader at incorporating gender equality in universities and India is a top country for girls studying STEM-subjects. I wish Jagriti the best for the future and hope she enjoyed being High Commissioner for the day.”

On the occasion of International Girl Child Day, we wish Jagriti Yadav, winner of the 'British High Commissioner for a Day' competition organised by @ukinindia, great success! We were pleased to host her at our head office and meet our senior leadership.#proudairlinepartner pic.twitter.com/6mdF4Wf2R0
— Vistara (@airvistara) October 11, 2022

The British High Commission in New Delhi has organised the ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition annually since 2017 to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11). More than 270 young girls from all around India applied for this year’s competition.

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Rajasthan girl becomes British High Commissioner for a day

As per the release, the applicants for this year’s competition were invited to submit a one-minute video answering the question: ‘How can young people best support tackle the global challenge of climate change?’…reports Asian Lite News.

Twenty-year-old Aditi Maheshwari from Rajasthan recently became the British High Commissioner to India for a day.

Maheshwari, who is pursuing her Bachelor’s in Physical Science from the University of Delhi’s Miranda House College won the ‘High Commissioner for the Day’ contest organised annually since 2017 to celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, British High Commission said in a press release.

Aditi, who aspires to join the Indian Administrative Service, is the fifth winner of the India edition of the competition.

As the UK’s top diplomat in India, Aditi experienced a broad variety of diplomatic activities on Friday. She observed the India-UK Energy for Growth Dialogue alongside Ministers Raj Kumar Singh and Kwasi Kwarteng, the release said.

“She met with beneficiaries of a leadership programme for aspiring female politicians funded by the Chevening Alumni Programme Fund, climate experts from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), who signed the UK in India Pledge for Progress, to show their leadership in gender equality and young leaders from the not-for-profit Global Youth,” the British High Commission informed.

Aditi’s packed day also included a hands-on demonstration of the I-PACE – Jaguar’s zero-emissions, all-electric performance SUV to be used by world leaders at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow next month.

Talking about her experience, Aditi said, “I had applied for the competition last year as well and I’m really pleased that I got the opportunity. The interaction with senior diplomats and with women from ‘She Leads’ leadership programme were the two personal highlights of the day for me.”

“I also enjoyed being driven around in an electric vehicle by the High Commissioner. The amount of work that both the UK and India are doing to tackle issues like climate change and gender inequality made me really hopeful as a young woman. I will cherish this day for a long time to come,” she added.

The UK and India are working together to help ensure women and girls can reach their full potential.

As per the release, the applicants for this year’s competition were invited to submit a one-minute video answering the question: ‘How can young people best support tackle the global challenge of climate change?’

Alex Ellis, Deputy High Commissioner for the Day (on other days, High Commissioner to India), said, “It was a pleasure for me to work with Aditi throughout the day. Her confidence and thoughtfulness on important issues like climate change and women’s rights shone through. The UK is working with India to provide a platform for young women like Aditi to help them reach their potential.”

She observed the India-UK Energy for Growth Dialogue alongside Ministers Raj Kumar Singh and Kwasi Kwarteng. #AditiMaheshwari #Rajasthan #BritishHighCommission #internationaldayofthegirlchild https://t.co/qnaRynVy3y
— The Statesman (@TheStatesmanLtd) October 10, 2021

“I am pleased that so many young girls sent in their entries for this year’s competition which focussed on climate change. Women are disproportionately affected by climate change and are often left out of decision making on it. The UK is committed to hosting an inclusive COP26 that advances gender equality by calling on all countries to implement the Gender Action Plan agreed at COP25,” he added.

In India, the British High Commission is working with state governments, law enforcement agencies, education authorities and British businesses to promote gender equality. (ANI)

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