Kochi, Oct 11: She is neither an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) Officer nor a professional diplomat with having requisite higher degrees.However, A South Indian girl could make it possible to become the British Deputy High Commissioner, having been selected from among at least 140 befitting candidates.
A 22-year mere girl hailing from Kochi, Meenakshi Nair the British Deputy High Commissioner to Kerala and Karnataka for a day in Bengaluru to mark the International Day of the Girl Child on Friday.
‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition, organised by the British High Commission in India every year provides an opportunity to experience the life of a diplomat and see the UK-India partnership in action.
Being the deputy High commissioner for the day, Meenakshi said her experience is not just a glimpse into the world of diplomacy rather it inspired her to aspire and dream bigger.
"This opportunity helped me understand the power of collaboration, humility, and service. The day’s experience reinforced the idea that public service is not just a career, but a calling. It was also a lesson in leadership.”Meenakshi shared while she was asked of her experience as a dummy diplomat for a few hours.
Kochi native Meenakshi was selected by the British High Commission from 140 entries received this year, and as the UK’s top diplomat in Kerala and Karnataka, she experienced a range of activities on the day.
"The High Commissioner for a Day competition embodies the idea that the world will be a better place when everyone e.g men and women & girls and boys, will have equal opportunities.
Empowering women and girls in the UK and worldwide is a priority for us. We convey the message to the Indian society to encourage gender equality at ever pace of lives" said Chandru Iyer (British Deputy High Commissioner to Kerala and Karnataka who witnessed the mock-diplomat exercise and the significant transformation and the confidence level that Meenakshi gained after holding the proxy
The‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition has been organised every year since 2017 and is celebrated at the UK’s diplomatic missions in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai too, to intuit diplomatic skills and leadership’s mindsets among the future human resources.
