On Monday, September 25, Sanjana Hiremath, a 23-year-old resident of Hubballi, had the unique opportunity to step into the role of British Deputy High Commissioner in Bengaluru for a day. She gained valuable insights into the practicalities of a career diplomat.
Selected from a pool of over 180 applicants across the nation, Sanjana embodied the UK Deputy High Commissioner’s role in Bengaluru for this special occasion. During her tenure, she discussed her ideas for advancing Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the British Deputy High Commission’s Bengaluru office.
Over a meal, she shared her perspectives on women in leadership roles with Hilary McGeachy, the Australian Consul General. Sanjana also engaged in a free-flowing conversation with Chevening Gurukul Fellow and Additional Chief Secretary Uma Mahadevan (IAS) on topics such as democratizing education through library access, skills training, SDGs, and Chevening scholarships.
The ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition is an annual initiative organized by the British High Commission in India since 2017. This competition coincides with the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11.
Sanjana, an employee of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), expressed her joy about this unique experience, stating, “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’s leadership and women leaders across wide-ranging fields. Like I said in my competition entry – I will continue to be the goalkeeper and make a difference.”
Chandru Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka and Kerala, commented on the significance of the ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition, highlighting its role in raising awareness about girls’ rights and the importance of women in leadership positions. Iyer expressed his confidence in Sanjana’s potential and wished her success in her future endeavors.