London, January 22 – Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has arrived in the United Kingdom on an official visit, touching down late Wednesday night. He was greeted with immense warmth by Jharkhand scholars and members of the Indian diaspora, marking a heartfelt welcome to the British capital.
Prior to this, Soren led a state delegation at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where they pitched investment opportunities in Jharkhand to global corporations. Sharing images and videos of the reception on social media, the Chief Minister expressed his overwhelming gratitude. ‘I am speechless and deeply touched by the affectionate welcome from my own people,’ he posted, extending a traditional ‘Johaar’ greeting to all.
Accompanying Soren is his wife and MLA Kalpana Soren, part of the official team. The highlight of the trip is his scheduled lecture on January 23 at the prestigious Blavatnik School of Government at Oxford University. There, he will share insights on sustainable development in tribal-dominated, resource-rich states like Jharkhand, discussing experiences, prospects, and hurdles.
The event features a panel discussion on ‘Sustainable and Green Industrialization, Responsible Mineral-Based Manufacturing, and Inclusive Investment-Led Growth.’ Joining him will be Professor Alpa Shah, a social anthropologist at Oxford and Fellow at All Souls College, and Professor Maya Tudor from the Blavatnik School, specializing in politics and public policy.
At the core of the conversation is Jharkhand’s model of development in harmony with nature, a philosophy the state government is championing. Soren will be the first Jharkhand Chief Minister to address Oxford, a milestone he approaches with great enthusiasm. He emphasized efforts to align growth with environmental balance in a tribal-heavy state.
This platform offers a golden chance to showcase Jharkhand’s development paradigm globally. State officials believe the dialogue will pave the way for future investments, smarter policies, and enduring progress in the region.