A delegation of the British High Commission met Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan. Making a mention of the close ties between India and Britain under Commonwealth, the Chief Minister stressed on the need to strengthen the mutual support with British High Commission in the education sector and upgradation of urban poor slums in the state. Shri Chouhan said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given a new direction to the efforts to strengthen the ties between the two countries.
In a meeting with the British High Commission Shri Chouhan said that there are abundant possibilities of support in cultural, educational, sports and tourism activities. The growth rate in state has reached 10 percent. For the last 5 years, the agriculture growth rate is stagnant on an average 20 percent. On the efforts for building a new Madhya Pradesh as per Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s concept of making of a new India till year 2022, Shri Chouhan said that efforts are being made to ensure economic development of all categories in Madhya Pradesh. Special initiative has been taken for women empowerment in state. Fifty percent reservation has been fixed for women in local bodies as a result of which 56 percent women have been elected. Women have been given 33 percent reservation in government jobs (except Forest Department) and 50 percent in teachers’ jobs. These efforts have increased women’s participation in power. Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that schemes like Ladli Lakshmi have been launched in the state so that women become more confident and to bring about a social change.
Mentioning the “Mil Banche Madhya Pradesh” programme to connect the society with the efforts to ensure quality of education, CM Shri Chouhan said that more than 2 lakh 15 thousand elite are already connected with schools and children. They have been extending support in improving the condition of schools. These include political leaders, journalists, officers, traders and businesspersons. Enlightening on the possibilities of working together in the education field, Shri Chouhan said that knowledge of English increases global possibilities of employment. More work can be done in this direction in the rural areas of the state. Efforts are on to upgrade the universities. Indore University is being upgraded. Focusing on tourism sector, the Chief Minister mentioned the cultural and historic wealth of the state.
British High Commission’s Minister of Cultural Affairs Shri Allan Gemmell told Chief Minister Shri Chouhan that this is his second visit to Bhopal. Terming the Tribal Museum one of the best museums in the world, he said he is greatly impressed. Shri Gemmell urged for support to invite British tourists to the state. He also told about the support being given for English training to primary teachers and for research and English teaching system in higher education. He gave information about the English skill enhancement projects for the team related with judicial system, machinery and tourism and expected support from the state government in these areas. He said that the delegation is highly impressed with the progress of development and social security schemes in Madhya Pradesh.
The delegation comprised British Deputy High Commission Director West India Sushri Helen Sylvester, Senior Regional Advisor Madhya Pradesh Shri Yash Mehra and Partnership Head Shri Varnan D’souza.
