Lucknow's Jagriti Yadav becomes UK high commissioner for a day
New Delhi, Oct 10: 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.
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Cong claims TVK chief Vijay has sought its support for govt formation in Tamil Nadu
New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Tuesday claimed that TVK chief Vijay has sought its support for government formation in Tamil Nadu and its leadership has directed the state unit to take a final decision on the matter, keeping in view the state's sentiments.
The party, which fought the assembly election in alliance with the DMK, asserted that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government and that it is determined "not to have the BJP and its proxies run the government of Tamil Nadu in any manner".
Top Congress leaders held a meeting at party chief Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on Tuesday evening that was attended by Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Tamil Nadu in-charge Girish Chodankar, among others.
Addressing the media after the meeting, Congress general secretary, Organisation, K C Venugopal said the Congress leadership discussed the post-election scenario in Tamil Nadu.
"TVK President Thiru Vijay has requested the Indian National Congress for support to form a Government in Tamil Nadu. He has spoken about drawing inspiration from Perumthalaivar Kamaraj as well, in his political mission.
"The INC is clear that the mandate in Tamil Nadu is for a secular government that is committed to protecting the Constitution in letter and spirit. The INC is determined not to have the BJP and its proxies run the Government of Tamil Nadu in any manner," he said.
"Accordingly, the Congress leadership has directed the TNCC to take a final decision on Thiru Vijay's request, keeping in view the sentiments of the state reflected in the electoral verdict," Venugopal told reporters.
Vijay's TVK won 108 seats in the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly, falling short of the halfway mark. He needs the support of 10 MLAs to form a government with a simple majority. The results were declared only on Monday.
The Congress has won five seats, while the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) has bagged four seats. The CPI and CPI-M have two seats each.
On the other hand, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has won 59 seats while the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has won 47 seats.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has won only one seat and so have the Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) and the Amma Makkal Munnettra Kazagam (AMMK), while the VCK has won two seats.
The Congress had fought the assembly polls in a pre-poll alliance with the DMK, while the BJP had a tie-up with the AIADMK.
