The British Deputy High Commission Kolkata on Thursday was led by an Assamese college girl to mark the International Day of the Girl Child 2019.
Twenty-year-old Monjita Baruah from Assam won the opportunity to head the Kolkata diplomatic mission for a day.
She had the chance to oversee network, lead departmental briefings and interact with important stakeholders and the media.
Since 2016, the British High Commission has been offering young Indian women across the country a unique opportunity – to head a diplomatic mission for a day.
The High Commissioner for a Day competition, now in its third year, was open to young Indian women aged 18-23.
As part of the selection process, applicants were asked to record a one-minute video on ‘Why gender equality is important and who their biggest inspiration is on this issue?’
Monjita is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) in Electronics and Communication Engineering at National Institute of Technology (NIT) in Silchar.
She is passionate about artificial intelligence and maintains arts and music as her hobbies.
This opportunity gave her the platform to observe, learn and experience the varied aspects of the Deputy High Commissioner’s day including his diplomatic engagements.
Monjita learnt about the initiatives undertaken by the UK to promote gender equality and end human trafficking.
Through the day, she learnt about the opportunities UK has to offer to trade and businesses. She met our policy team who told her about the Chevening Scholarships and Fellowships and how UK is a global hub for higher education.
Monjita also heard about UK’s power in the sports sector and being a force for good with India for tackling global challenges like climate change.
The Winner of the Competition, Monjita Baruah said: “When individual man and woman come together to do their part towards the girl child in any way possible, it will aggregate into something huge. That will bring a noticeable change leading to a positive impact in making the world a better and safer place to live in.”
British Deputy High Commissioner to Kolkata, Bruce Bucknell said: “The UK and India are working together as a global Force for Good. We share with India the importance of promoting the cause of gender equality.”
“I am delighted that we were able to mark the ‘International Day of the Girl Child’ by demonstrating to young women that they are the future leaders and by giving them a platform to share their views,” Bucknell said.
Monjita’s day included a visit to British Council to interact with their staff and experience their creative and library services.