London: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren met Seema Malhotra, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities and Indo-Pacific), on Thursday in London to discuss strengthening India-UK cooperation in education, skills development, and inclusive growth. The meeting highlighted Jharkhand’s initiatives in scholarships, women empowerment, and sustainable development.
Focus on Education, Skills Development, and Inclusive Growth
During the meeting, the UK side appreciated the Marang Gomke Jaipal Munda Overseas Scholarship and the Chevening-Marang Gomke Scholarship, calling them living examples of the strong India-UK partnership.
CM Soren shared that discussions also covered:
- Sustainability-linked Guruji scholarships
- Leadership and mentoring pathways
- Jharkhand’s initiatives for women empowerment, including promotion of women in sports
“This dialogue demonstrates Jharkhand’s commitment to fostering global collaboration in education and skill-building while ensuring inclusive development,” Soren said.
CM Soren Participates in WEF Davos Program on Sustainable Development
Earlier in the week, Soren participated in the Delivering Sustainability at Scale program organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos.
He emphasized Jharkhand’s vision for sustainable growth, stating that the state aims not just to export minerals and natural resources, but to achieve value addition along with job creation and sustainable development.
“We want concrete changes in people’s lives, alongside environmental sustainability and industrial growth,” Soren added.
Scholarships and Global Partnerships Highlight Jharkhand’s Education Drive
The Marang Gomke Jaipal Munda Overseas Scholarship and the Chevening-Marang Gomke Scholarship aim to provide international exposure and skill development opportunities for Jharkhand’s students. These initiatives have been recognized by the UK as benchmarks for bilateral collaboration in education and leadership development.
CM Soren also noted Jharkhand’s efforts in promoting women’s participation in sports and leadership programs, reinforcing the state’s commitment to inclusive growth and empowerment.
Vision for Sustainable Industrial Development
Jharkhand’s Chief Minister highlighted that the state’s development strategy focuses on:
- Sustainable industrial growth
- Value addition in mineral and natural resource sectors
- Job creation for local communities
- Concrete improvements in quality of life for residents
The discussions in London are expected to pave the way for further collaboration with the UK in education, skills, sustainability, and gender-inclusive development programs.
