To mark the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11, the British High Commission is offering young Indian women a chance to spend a day as one of the UK’s top diplomats.
The annual ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition, with focus on Sustainable Development Goals, will provide an opportunity to Indian women, aged 18 to 23, to share their strengths with the world, the British High Commission in New Delhi announced on Friday.
“The Sustainable Development Goals push for a better planet for everyone, everywhere; just as India is doing with its G20 Presidency. I’m always amazed by the talent spread across this country and have no doubt that India’s brilliant youth will lead the drive for a better future in the years to come,” Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said.
In a statement, Ellis said that the full potential of the world’s youth to solve the world’s biggest challenges cannot be achieved without girls and women.
“The International Day of the Girl Child is an important moment to include and inspire. I’m looking forward to seeing numerous fantastic entries,” he added.
To apply, participants must record and upload a one-minute video answering: ‘How can young people help lead the way in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?’
📢 Contest!
You could be our next ‘High Commissioner for a Day!’
Tell us in 1 min 👇
‘How can young people help lead the way in achieving the #SDGs?’
The video has to be shared on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn by tagging ‘@UKinIndia’ and using the hashtag ‘#DayOfTheGirl’.
The entries — only one per participant — can be submitted by filling an online form available on the High Commission website by August 18.
The High Commission also announced that videos exceeding time limit and having plagiarised content will result in immediate disqualification.
A jury at the British High Commission will then select the winner, who will be announced on @UKinIndia social media channels.
The High Commissioner for a Day programme will take place in-person in Delhi, and in case the winner is not from Delhi/NCR, the High Commission said will fund the travel to Delhi as part of the competition.
In 2022, Jagriti Yadav became British High Commissioner for a day
The British High Commission has been organising the ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition annually since 2017.
Last year’s winner of the competition was 20-year-old Jagriti Yadav from Lucknow who experienced a broad range of diplomatic activities that included leading meetings with diverse stakeholders, chairing discussions and attending several events during the day.
She met 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.
Jagriti also launched a book honouring 75 Indian Women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) alongside Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the government of India.
Varanasi, June 12 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar meets United Kingdom Minister of State for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell on the sidelines of the G20 Development Ministers' meeting, in Varanasi on Monday. (ANI Photo)
Minister Mitchell visited the Chakr Innovation research lab in Gurugram, which is developing cutting-edge tech to tackle climate challenges…reports Asian Lite News
As UK Development Minister Andrew Mitchell attended the G20 Development Ministerial Meeting in Varanasi on Monday, new climate and tech partnerships were announced to benefit all by tackling global challenges, informed the British High Commission in India.
Mitchell joined India and G20 partners in calling for reinvigorated efforts to meet the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. The new UK support includes funding for a tech start-up focusing on sustainable agriculture, including through growing vegetables in an environmentally-friendly way, as per an official release by British High Commission.
UK’s International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell is in India for the G20 starting Monday – and to boost UK-India cooperation on development including through climate and tech partnerships.
He reinforced at the gathering in Varanasi how the UK’s partnerships and investments are having a multiplier effect in tackling the biggest shared challenges of today – including climate change, poverty and food insecurity.
The G20 Development Ministerial meeting in Varanasi is laying the groundwork to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals ahead of the G20 Leader’s Summit in New Delhi this September.
At the G20, the UK emphasised the need to redouble global efforts to tackle the climate crisis and shocks facing the most vulnerable countries demonstrating our position as a development leader set out earlier this year.
New UK programmes announced in India include an investment of 10 million Pounds in the Avaana Fund, a women-led climate-tech fund that supports innovative businesses to develop solutions to climate change and create jobs for women in sectors such as clean energy, energy storage and agriculture.
An investment of 12 million Pounds from the UK Government-supported Neev II fund will go to Nutrifresh, an Agri-Tech start-up enterprise focused on making agriculture more sustainable by growing vegetables in an environmentally friendly way.
On Sunday, Minister Mitchell visited the Chakr Innovation research lab in Gurugram, which is developing cutting-edge tech to tackle climate challenges.
The UK-supported lab is now developing innovative batteries for e-vehicles that do not need charging infrastructure and are fully recyclable, providing a cleaner and safer alternative to older Lithium tech. The lab has previously developed devices that capture pollution-causing emissions and convert them to pigment for black inks and paints.
Targeted investments like these play a central role in tackling climate change and supporting sustainable development. They improve access to clean energy, create jobs and boost economic growth, all of which are vital to ending poverty.
Andrew Mitchell, UK Minister for Development, said, “We commend India for putting development and the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable at the heart of its G20 Presidency. The UK is committed to working with G20 partners to tackle the climate crisis and reduce poverty,” as per an official release. (ANI)
The agreement will remove red tape standing in the way of major collaborations, while unleashing a raft of new joint research schemes.
The UK and India are signing a landmark agreement to collaborate on science and innovation, following a meeting between UK Science Minister George Freeman and Indian Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh.
The memorandum of understanding on research between the two countries will enable quicker, deeper collaboration on science between the two science powerhouses that will drive economic growth, create skilled jobs and improve lives in the UK, India, and worldwide.
The agreement will remove red tape standing in the way of major collaborations, while unleashing a raft of new joint research schemes aiming to deliver progress on some of the biggest issues facing the world, from climate change and pandemic preparedness through to AI and machine learning.
Programmes include the establishment of a new UK-India Net Zero Innovation Virtual Centre focusing on industrial decarbonisation and launching the first ever UK-India scientific deep sea voyage.
Britain’s Science Minister George Freeman and Indian Minister for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh.
George Freeman, Minister of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, said: “India is rapidly building on its phenomenal software and innovation sectors to become a global powerhouse in science and technology.
“With our extensive trading and cultural links, shared democratic values and interest in urgent global issues from green technology and agri-tech to biosecurity and pandemic preparedness, we have very strong platforms for deepening research collaboration.
“Today’s agreement is part of our programme of deepening UK collaboration with other global science superpowers on ground-breaking innovation and research, to help tackle shared global challenges. This partnership will grow the sectors, companies and jobs of tomorrow for the benefit of both our countries and the globe.”
Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India, said: “The UK and India are leading research nations and research partners from the ocean floor to outer space – via agriculture, health, decarbonisation and AI.
“Today’s landmark agreement is another big step in delivering the UK-India 2030 Roadmap. We’ll continue to bring our brightest minds and best tech together to forge a prosperous, clean and healthy fourth industrial revolution for future generations.”
UK's Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Tony Radakin meets Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande.
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin and General Anil Chauhan reviewed progress on various pillars of the UK-India defence partnership and exchanged views to further expand ties in all the domains.
India and the UK are natural partners in a world that is becoming more contested and volatile, UK’s Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Tony Radakin told his Indian counterpart General Anil Chauhan in New Delhi.
UK’s Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), Admiral Tony Radakin meets CDS General Anil Chauhan.
Admiral Radakin, is taking part in a series of high-level meetings in India this week, continuing momentum in building strategic ties between the two countries.
The CDS began his three-day visit by paying homage to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial on Monday, ahead of his meeting with General Chauhan.
The two Chiefs reviewed progress on various pillars of the UK-India defence partnership and exchanged views to further expand ties in all the domains.
Following the signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding in 2019, discussions around industrial collaboration in the aerospace sector have been progressing, with the UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement visiting in February and the First Sea Lord visiting in March.
“My visit to India reflects the United Kingdom’s belief that our security is indivisible from that of the wider world,” Admiral Radakin said. “As a global trading nation it matters to the UK that the Indo-Pacific is open and free, which is why the British Armed Forces is establishing the broadest and most integrated presence in the region of any European nation.”
He said India and the UK share many of the same democratic instincts and values and are both committed to the rule of law.
“We are respected military powers, both undergoing significant investment and modernisation, and exercising together across, land, sea and air. But we can do more. I value the opportunity to meet with General Anil Chauhan to discuss how we can develop our partnership in a way that benefits our mutual security and prosperity,” he added.
The CDS began his three-day visit by paying homage to the fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial.
Admiral Radakin subsequently held discussions with the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff, General Manoj Pande, Defence Secretary, Giridhar Aramane, and Additional Secretary Defence Production, T Natarajan.
Over the next two days, Admiral Radakin will be hosted by various establishments of the Indian Armed Forces across the country, with a view to boost military-to-military engagement and explore opportunities around the co-creation of future technologies.
UK’s Defence Secretary Ben Wallace stated that India is a “valued defence partner for the UK” and the relationship with New Delhi continues to flourish across research and industrial sectors.
“Both our nations are committed to the stability and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and we continue to train and operate alongside our Indian partners to promote security in the region,” Wallace said.
The Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force are all carrying out exercises with their Indian equivalents this year, developing interoperability and joint tactics.
In recent weeks, HMS Lancaster visited Kochi to train alongside the Indian Navy as part of Exercise Konkan, while five Mirage 2000 fighters were flown by Indian Air Force pilots in the Royal Air Force’s largest aerial exercise in the UK – Exercise Cobra Warrior.
Later this month, soldiers from the Indian Army will deploy to the UK to take part in Exercise Ajeya Warrior, training alongside the British Army.
The visit of CDS also coincides with the visit of the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Royal Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston.
The visit of two of the senior-most officers of the UK’s armed forces exemplifies the importance with which the UK holds its defence and security partnership with India, British High Commission said in a statement.
Chief of Defence Staff of United Kingdom Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, today called on Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane in New Delhi.
British High Commissioner says G20 Presidency an opportunity to tell the story of “new India”
UK has reiterated its support to India’s G20 Presidency, this time hailing the rise of a “new India.” British High Commissioner to India Alexander Ellis said that India’s G20 Presidency is an “opportunity” to tell the story of a “new and modern India,” while also emphasizing that it has the potential to tackle some of the ‘world’s big problems’.
Ellis highlighted that India has the convincing power to bring together the fractured group of countries to work its way through and tackle the problems of today. “During India’s G20 Presidency, Amitabh Kant as G20 Sherpa is very ambitious and that flows through Prime Minister Narendra Modi to try and tackle some of the world’s big problems for example development and how you do development in technology in future and how does technology play a role in development,” he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had described India’s agenda at the G-20 as “inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented”. He added, “During our G-20 Presidency, we shall present India’s experiences, learnings and models as possible templates for others, particularly the developing world.
Underscoring the potential of India in finding answers to the current challenges, Ellis said, “It is an opportunity to tell the story of India and the story of new India and modern India. So, I am glad that India has got the presidency and we will support it absolutely to try and find answers to those questions but its a tough ask there is a high ambition, it’s a tough to ask at the same time.”
Alexander Ellis said that India is a powerful country and has the ability to talk to many different nations, which he stressed is “extremely useful” at the moment. He emphasised that the world is facing a number of problems, including climate change sustainability, and public health.
India holds the Presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023.
It's been a great year for UK and India. Much to do in 2023.
“I am really pleased that India has the Presidency of the G20. You had Harsh Shringla the other day because India is a powerful country, an increasingly powerful country,” the High Commissioner said.
Speaking about India’s G20 Presidency, Ellis said, “It is a country which has the ability to talk to many different countries and I think that is extremely useful at the moment because you are in a world in which there are huge global problems, we talked about climate changes sustainability, we talked about public health as well.”
For India, the G20 Presidency also marks the beginning of “Amritkaal”, the 25-year period beginning from the 75th anniversary of its independence on 15 August 2022, leading up to the centenary of its independence, towards a futuristic, prosperous, inclusive and developed society, distinguished by a human-centric approach at its core. The 43 Heads of Delegations- the largest ever in G20-will be participating in the final New Delhi Summit in September next year.
“In a divided world and in the era of geopolitical competition, you are having to do with big problems, where you have a fractured group of countries but India I think has the convincing power to bring together those countries to try and work its way through,” he added.
The G20 Logo draws inspiration from the vibrant colours of India’s national flag – saffron, white and green, and blue. It juxtaposes planet Earth with the lotus, India’s national flower that reflects growth amid challenges. The Earth reflects India’s pro-planet approach to life, one in perfect harmony with nature. Below the G20 logo is “Bharat”, written in the Devanagari script.
The theme of India’s G20 Presidency – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth * One Family * One Future” – is drawn from the ancient Sanskrit text of the Maha Upanishad. Essentially, the theme affirms the value of all life – human, animal, plant, and microorganisms – and their interconnectedness on the planet Earth and in the wider universe. The theme also spotlights LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), with its associated, environmentally sustainable and responsible choices, both at the level of individual lifestyles as well as national development, leading to globally transformative actions resulting in a cleaner, greener and bluer future.
G20 meetings will not be limited only to New Delhi or other metropolises. Drawing inspiration from its G20 Presidency theme of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’-“One Earth One Family One Future, as well as the Prime Minister’s vision of an ‘all of government” approach, India will host over 200 meetings in over 50 cities across 32 different workstreams, and would have the opportunity to offer G20 delegates and guests a glimpse of India’s rich cultural heritage and provide them with a unique Indian experience.
The first Finance and Central Bank Deputies (FCBD) meeting under the G20 Presidency of India held in Bengaluru recently. (ANI Photo)
The Presidency is also a chance for the G20 Secretariat to provide the country’s citizens with the unique opportunity be a part of India’s G20 story.
The Indian G20 presidency has also planned a year-long India Experience’ for G20 member countries, special invitees, and others.
The G20 summit would be qualitatively different from any of the previous multilateral summits that India has hosted.
None of the previous summits had the world’s largest economies assembled in one place nor did they have the entire P-5 (permanent members of the UN Security Council) represented.
In that sense, the G-20 summit would be the first of its kind in Indian history.
The G20 presidency is an opportunity to present the diversity that is India to the outside world. (ANI)
