Noida girl becomes ‘British envoy’ for a day

Noida: It was a dream come true for 22-year-old Rudrali Patil, a law student in Noida, who became the British high commissioner for a day on October 9.

Rudrali is a student of BA-LLB (fifth year) at Amity University Noida and lives with her parents in Sector 92.

Her mother Archana Patil is a doctor, and father Shailesh Patil is a businessman.

Rudrali said that recently she was chosen for the once in a lifetime opportunity after emerging victorious in a video making competition on girls' rights conducted by the British High Commission. She said that each participant was asked to record a one minute video on girls' rights and suggest two ways to improve the situation.

"I recorded the video and submitted online. Later, I received a call from the British Embassy saying that I have won the competition. The Embassy officials offered me to become the British High Commissioner for a day," she told TOI.

On October 9, Rudrali donned the black suit and chaired a meeting with department directors in the High Commission to become acquainted with its operations. She was mentored by the High Commissioner Dominic Asquith.

On Wednesday, which was International Day of the Girl Child, Rudrali also joined the British Deputy High Commissioner Alexander Evans for a programme, 'Chat with a diplomat', organised at the Indraprastha College, University of Delhi.

She also interacted with students and participants and discussed the girls' rights. "I had a pleasing experience of becoming British High Commissioner for a day. I got to learn a lot of things. I also received some awards and gifts," she said with a smile.