The British High Commissioner toIndiaSir James Bevan reached Mizoram yesterday for a two day visit to the state capital Aizawl. Sanjay Wadvani, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Kolkata, Mainak De, Head Political & Public Affairs Dept., British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata and William J. Smith, Regional Overseas Security Manager are accompanying the British diplomat on his first maiden visit to the state.

Sir James Bevan today met the Governor of Mizoram, Vakkom Purushothaman at the Raj Bhawan where they had a meeting lasting a little over half an hour and discussed various issues including health, education, skill development and urban planning among others. Thereafter the visiting British diplomat met the Chief Secretary L. Tochhong at her office. The Chief Secretary highlighted various developments that have taken place in the last couple of years and informed the High Commissioner about how NLUP the flagship programme of the government is transforming the lives of people across the state as well as how it is playing a major role in protecting the environment.

On the issue of education especially English language training, skill development and urban planning, the British High Commissioner pointed on the need to collaborate with institutions in the state and said that he would be more than happy to help, in whatever way he could in this regard if the state needed collaboration and help on these issues. Talking about the tourism potential of the state, he hoped that more British tourists would know about Mizoram and visit it.

In the afternoon, he held a press conference at the I & PR Conference Hall and met local journalists where he said that the aim of his visit was to learn and understand the state as well as to identify opportunities between Great Britain and Mizoram so that both of them could work together to build a successful future. He said that the state shares a lot in terms of the English speaking population, the Church as well as the craze for football with his country. Answering a question on whether his visit was linked to hydrocarbon deposits in the state, he said thatBritainhas lot of expertise in the area which can be explored by the state. Answering a question on whetherBritaincould help Mizo youngsters in the area of football, Deputy High Commissioner responded that the Community Outreach programme which is being run in some areas inWest Bengalby using football as a binding force may be looked into, as a possible area of collaboration. Responding to a query on what India and Great Britain as diverse nations in terms of their population can learn from each other, the High Commissioner said that he firmly believes in the concept of unity in diversity and pointed that diversity encourages creativity, imagination and encourages a broad outlook in citizens which is always beneficial for the society and the country.

The High Commissioner is scheduled to meet the Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla this evening, who will be hosting a banquet for the visiting British diplomat. He will leave Aizawl for Kolkata, tomorrow.