Lucknow woman, 20, becomes UK high commissioner in India for a day

Jagriti Yadav, a 20-year-old woman from Lucknow, became the top boss at the British High Commission in India for a day after winning a competition that was aimed at empowering the next generation of women as trail-blazers.

Jagriti is the sixth winner of the India edition of the 'High Commissioner for a Day' competition organised annually since 2017, the British embassy here said.

"Twenty-year-old Jagriti Yadav from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, spent a day as the UK's top diplomat in India after winning the sixth edition of the 'High Commissioner for a Day' competition," it said.

Jagriti 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 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, the high commission said in a statement.

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.

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).

"It was an intellectually inspiring experience to serve as the British high commissioner for a day," Jagriti said.

"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," she said.

Jagriti said meeting the SheLeads project beneficiaries and female STEAM role models was motivating.

"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," she said.

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 per cent of the Chevening scholarships for India this year were awarded to women," he said.

The envoy said the UK is a world leader at incorporating gender equality in universities and India is a top country for girls studying STEAM-subjects.

"I wish Jagriti the best for the future and hope she enjoyed being High Commissioner for the day," he said. The High Commission organises 'High Commissioner for a Day' competition annually 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.