On Monday, September 25, Sanjana Hiremath, a 23-year-old resident of Hubballi, assumed the position of British Deputy High Commissioner in Bengaluru for a day, offering her a unique experience as a career diplomat. In this capacity, she had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the UK-India partnership in action.
During her tenure, Sanjana shared her innovative ideas for advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the British Deputy High Commission office in Bengaluru. Over lunch, she engaged in discussions about women in leadership roles, sharing her perspectives with Hilary McGeachy, the Australian Consul General.
Sanjana's day as Deputy High Commissioner also included a meeting with Chevening Gurukul Fellow and Additional Chief Secretary Uma Mahadevan (IAS). Their conversation covered diverse topics such as democratizing education through access to libraries, skills training, SDGs, and the significance of Chevening scholarships.
Since 2017, the British High Commission in India has been annually organizing the 'High Commissioner for a Day' competition, an initiative commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child, celebrated on October 11. Out of more than 180 applicants from across the nation, Sanjana was chosen to become the Deputy High Commissioner for a day in Bengaluru.
Sanjana, who is employed by the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), expressed her enthusiasm about this exceptional opportunity: "Spending a day as the British Deputy High Commissioner in Bengaluru was a dream come true. I had the opportunity to interact with and learn from the British Deputy High Commission in Bengaluru's team leadership and women leaders across a wide range of fields. Like I mentioned in my competition entry - I will continue to be the goalkeeper and make a difference."
Chandru Iyer, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka and Kerala, emphasized the competition's objective, saying, "The 'High Commissioner for a Day' competition is an opportunity to provide a platform for young women to raise awareness about girls' rights and highlight the importance of women in leadership roles. Sanjana was an excellent fit for my role as Deputy High Commissioner. I wish her all success in her future goals."
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