UK calls on Indian women to join contest to be High Commissioner for a Day

In celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, Britain’s first female High Commissioner to India is calling on Indian women aged 18 to 23 to apply for a chance to step into her shoes for a day and experience the hustle and bustle of being one of the UK’s top diplomats in the world.

British High Commissioner to India Lindy Cameron said: “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.

“The UK pioneered the discovery of graphene, designed the semiconductor chip found in every smartphone, and is now leading the way on the safe and responsible development of AI. India’s tech innovations are similarly changing the world – from revolutionising mobile banking solutions to its ground-breaking lunar mission. 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 is a cause that lies very close to my heart, and I encourage every young woman to put on their thinking cap and send in their best ideas.”

The annual ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition, which symbolises the close bilateral partnership, invites talented young women aged 18 to 23 from India to showcase their strengths and leadership potential on a global platform. The British High Commission in New Delhi has hosted the competition annually since 2017 to mark the International Day of the Girl Child, which falls on October 11, as the UK considers improving the lives of girls and women is one of its top priorities globally.

Last year’s winner, Shreya Dharmarajan from Chennai, engaged in various diplomatic activities, including leading discussions at the United Nations office in New Delhi on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), discuss UK-India research collaboration with the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Professor Ajay Sood, and launching a report on electric vehicle charging infrastructure with the Delhi Transport Department as part of the Accelerating Smart Power and Renewable Energy in India (ASPIRE) programme.

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.

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To commemorate the recent development, 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 Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn tagging @UKinIndia and using the hashtag #DayOfTheGirl.

This year’s competition is being supported by our partner Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and the deadline for submissions is September 4.

*Info: Online Entry Form