Our Bureau
New Delhi
In celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, the British High Commission is offering Indian women aged 18 to 23 a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of one of the UK’s top diplomats for a day. The ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition invites talented young women from India to showcase their strengths and leadership potential on a global platform.
To participate, applicants must submit a one-minute video responding to the question: ‘How can the UK and India collaborate on technology to benefit future generations?’ Participants should share their video on social media tagging ‘@UKinIndia’ and using the hashtag ‘#DayOfTheGirl’. The deadline for submissions is September 4, 2024.
Lindy Cameron, British High Commissioner to India, emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating: “The landmark UK-India Technology Security Initiative agreed between our countries sets out a bold new approach for how we will work together on the defining technologies of this decade. By bringing together our best minds, I am confident that we can accomplish truly fantastic things.”
The High Commissioner for a Day Competition is an incredible opportunity to nurture future women leaders and to hear about the change they want to see in the world. As the first female British High Commissioner to India, this cause lies very close to Cameron’s heart, and she encourages every young woman to put on their thinking cap and send in their best ideas.
The British High Commission has hosted the ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition annually since 2017 to mark the International Day of the Girl Child (October 11). Improving the lives of girls and women is one of the UK’s top priorities globally.
Last year’s winner, Shreya Dharmarajan from Chennai, engaged in a wide range of diplomatic activities including leading discussions at the United Nations office in New Delhi on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), discussing UK-India research collaboration with the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and launching a report on electric vehicle charging infrastructure as part of the Accelerating Smart Power and Renewable Energy in India (ASPIRE) program and made a significant impact. This year’s competition is being supported by the Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.
The UK and India launched the Technology Security Initiative during Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to New Delhi in July 2024. The initiative enhances the collaborative agenda set out in the UK-India Roadmap 2030, focusing on critical and emerging technologies across priority sectors.
This competition is an excellent opportunity for young Indian women to showcase their talent, leadership skills, and innovative ideas. By participating, they can contribute to strengthening the UK-India partnership and make a positive impact on future generations.
