Engineering student from Jaipur to be Canada's High Commissioner for a day

Medha Mishra, a student from Jaipur, will be Canada's High Commissioner for a day today, October 7.

She was selected from among several young women across India, who participated in a video competition on the theme "Why girls' rights are important and what can be done to achieve greater gender equality".

The competition was conducted by the High Commission of Canada as part of activities to mark the October 11 International Day of the Girl.

Ms. Mishra will hold meetings with senior diplomats at the High Commission and participate in public events being organized to create awareness about the importance of girls' rights.

Staff from several foreign missions in Delhi will join students and enthusiastic volunteers for a run along Shanti Path at 12 noon.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy High Commissioner for Canada to India, Mr. Jess Dutton, said: "We are proud to collaborate with diplomats from several nations and with officials and the people of India to promote the importance of girls' rights. In Canada, we strongly feel that gender equality is not only a human rights issue, but an essential component of sustainable development, social justice, peace and security."

Later in the day, Ms. Mishra and Mr. Dutton will be joined by the Mexican Ambassador Ms. Melba Pria; the Ambassador of Finland, Ms Nina Vaskunlahti; Ambassador of the United States of America, Mr. Richard Verma; the Deputy High Commissioner of South Africa, Ben Joubert and the Deputy High Commissioner of Australia, Mr. Chris Elstoft at IILM Institute for Higher Education for a 'chat with diplomats' session. Diplomats will interact with management students will discuss the issue of women in leadership.