Vidya Bharati student Kumkum Pant shares her experience of becoming student Ambassador of New Zealand for one day

On 11th October 2019, Vidya Bharati student, Kumkum Pant from Rajmati Devi Saraswati Vidya Mandir Inter College, Pauri, Uttarakhand was chosen as Ambassador of New Zealand for one day. The  class 12 student shares her experience via a telephonic interview.

Interviewer : Kumkum, tell us something about yourself.

Kumkum : I am a Vidya Bharati student of Rajmati Devi Saraswati Vidya Mandir Inter College, Pauri, Uttarakhand. I got selected as a change maker and got the opportunity to become one day Ambassador or High Commissioner of  New Zealand on the occasion of ‘International Day of the Girl Child’ this year. I also got the opportunity to give a speech on the subject of “How inequalities between boys and girls can be addressed” during the event.

Interviewer : Describe your experience of becoming an Ambassador or High Commissioner of  New Zealand. 

Kumkum : ‘Plan India’ and ‘Shri Bhuvneshwari Mahila Ashram’ work for child rights and women's empowerment in Uttarakhand. Every year they organize an event in association with ‘State Commission for Protection of Child Rights known as ‘Bal Vidhansabha’. It is a State level children assembly where 70 children (35 girls and 35 boys) are selected on merit basis across 13 districts of Uttarakhand. Honorable Speaker of Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly is the patron of this organization. The annual session of Uttarakhand Bal Vidhansabha happens at Dehradun every year.  

I was selected from Pauri district as Bal Vidhayak and later elected as the Home Minister in June 2018. In May 2019, during the 5th annual session I got to actively participate and present my policies and schemes on girl safety. Based on my performance, Plan India nominated me for the Take Over event organised in New Delhi on 11th October. 

I  filled up the nomination forms including one minute video on why I should be selected to take over as the High commission. Based on the details I provided in nomination forms and the video I was selected for the position at New Zealand High Commission. On 11th October I was welcomed  by High Commissioner of New Zealand and staff where I took over the charge as an Ambassador and then chaired a meeting with staff. I also made my presentation on “How girls should get equal rights and issues faced by Indian girls due to inequalities”. 

Later I made a visit to a school for slum children in Delhi, where I learned about the High Commission's initiative to support slum children. In the evening I participated in the closing event where all 35 girls who had got the opportunity to take over various embassies were present . Ambassador and High Commissioner of New Zealand, Joanna Kempkers was also present during the event. One of my interview was broadcasted live on social media. 

Interviewer : As a woman, what are your thoughts on the importance of gender equality? 

Kumkum : I gave a speech on the topic of ‘Women equality and their rights’ during the event. I firmly believe that every human deserves to be treated equally irrespective of sex, caste, gender, religion etc. Gender stereotypes should be dismantled for proper implementation of equal rights.

Interviewer : Whom you would like to thank from your school? 

Kumkum : I would like to thank Shri Sanjay Mamgain, principal of my school and all my teachers who supported me in every step. It was through my school’s support that I was able to receive such an honor. It was truly a proud moment and a huge learning experience that I would cherish for the rest of my life. 

Vidya Bharati Purv Chatra Parishad congratulates Kumkum on her achievement and wishes her all the best for her future.

If you are a student of Vidya Bharati school, and have a similar experience to share, kindly email us at info@vidyabharatialumni.org and we will contact you back.