A law student from India became the British High Commissioner to India and got to conduct the business of the High Commission for a day.
Rudrali Patil, was selected from 45 students for the role following a stiff competition that was organised by the British High Commission to mark the Day of the Girl Child.
The competition was open to female students aged between 17 and 25 to win the opportunity to become the British High Commissioner to India for a day. The competitors submitted short video presentations on the theme ‘Girls rights and two things they would do to bring about change’.
Ms Patil, a student of Law at Amity Law School in Noida was adjudged the winner. She aims to pursue her higher studies in law and then return to her town - Latur in Maharashtra to become a social entrepreneur.
In the past 2 years, she has taken up the cause of Rights of Adolescent Girls in Rural India and Save the Girl Child through gender sensitisation camps.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to act as British High Commissioner for a day and highlighting the importance of women and girls’ rights,” Ms Patil said after assuming the charge.
Permanent British High Commissioner who acted as Ms Patil’s deputy for the day- Dominic Asquith said he was impressed by her commitment to girl’s rights. But Ms Patil also became a cause of worry for him.
“I am slightly nervous that the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson notices just how impressive she is, and decides to make her my permanent replacement,” he said.
Rudrali assumed charge of the British High Commission in New Delhi on 9 October. She led a meeting with directors across the network, then visited various departments of the High Commission to become acquainted with its work.
Earlier in the day, High Commission in collaboration with a college in Delhi organised a ‘Chat with a Diplomat’ programme, at which the British Deputy High Commissioner interacted with students.
