UK envoy meets CM Thackeray, visits Ganesha idol workshop

In a meeting with Maharashtra CM, the High Commissioner discussed UK and Maharashtra’s relations in trade, healthcare and climate action with Uddhav Thackeray and other leaders.

UK High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis met Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and other leaders in Mumbai and paid a visit to a Ganesh idol workshop to learn about the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi.

He discussed the UK and Maharashtra’s relations in trade, healthcare and climate action with Uddhav Thackeray and other leaders.

Ellis said in a tweet, “Delighted to meet with @CMOMaharashtra Shri Uddhav Thackeray and @AUThackeray to discuss ways in which the UK and Maharashtra can further work on trade, healthcare, climate change, and other areas.”

During his visit to Mumbai from September 7-9, he also met Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray and NCP chief Sharad Pawar besides engaging with leading businesses with UK links such as Tatas, Mahindras, Piramals, and a few more.

Interestingly, Ellis had his first vada pav while in the city and was also greeted by famous Dabbawalas who gifted him a symbolic dabba.

Taking to Twitter, Ellis said, “Delighted to receive this beautiful tiffin box from Mumbai’s exceptional #Dabbawalas.”

He then took a quick ride on Victoria’s electric buggy to mark World EV Day.

Furthermore, Ellis had the most amazing experience visiting a Ganesh idol workshop to learn about the significance of Ganesh Chaturthi in the state.

Alex also lauded India’s landmark achievements in agricultural production.

He had a brief discussion with Pawar on issues such as COVID-19 mitigation, defence, international relations, Cricket and others.

‘High Commissioner for a Day’

To mark International Day of the Girl Child, observed on October 11, the British High Commission in Delhi has invited applications from Indian women in the 18-23 years age group for an opportunity to head the mission for a day.

To apply to be ‘High Commissioner for a Day’, applicants must record and upload a one-minute video on ‘how can young people best support tackling the global challenge of climate change?’ The video must be shared on either Twitter, Facebook or Instagram by tagging @UKinIndia and using the hashtags #DayoftheGirl. The deadline to apply is 22 September 2021.

“The impact of Covid-19 on education around the world will be long term, particularly for girls. This is why at the UK-hosted G7 Summit earlier this year, leaders from around the world agreed ambitious global targets to get more girls into school,” Alex Ellis said.

“Empowering and educating girls is also one of Prime Minister Modi’s central campaigns. I am delighted to note that this year nearly 60% of UK’s Chevening fellowships and 52% of the scholarships for India were awarded to women.”

“The International Day of the Girl Child is an important moment to recognise that educating all girls everywhere is not just the right thing to do, it is one of the smartest investments we can make to build a better, more equitable world. Through the ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition, I want to shine a light on brilliant young women and for them to show their even younger peers in school, that anything is possible,” he added.

The British High Commission has run the ‘High Commissioner for a Day’ competition annually since 2017. Last year’s competition was won by 18-year-old Chaitanya Venkateswaran, whose day as the High Commissioner included learning about gender representation in the media, interacting with senior police officers from Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, and launching the British Council STEM Tracer Study documenting the stories of Indian women scholars.

ALSO READ-UK, Switzerland ink deal to secure healthcare access