My conversation with PM @narendramodi has made me more optimistic than ever about progress in India… https://t.co/ArDS8nPoXI
— Bill Gates (@BillGates) 1677901448000
Speaking about the meeting on his official blog Gates Notes, the billionaire philanthropist said: “My interaction with PM Modi has made me more optimistic than ever about India’s progress. The country is showing What is possible when we invest in innovation. At a time when the world is facing many challenges, it is inspiring to visit a place as dynamic and creative as India.”
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Gates praised India’s “amazing ability to develop many safe, effective and affordable vaccines” and said they “saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and prevented other diseases around the world”.
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He also noted how India has successfully and efficiently delivered over 2.2 billion doses of Covid vaccine through CoWin. “This platform is now being extended to support India’s Universal Immunization Program. PM Modi believes CoWIN is a model for the world, and I agree,” he added.
Innovations in digital technology
Gates also praised the Centre’s Gati Shakti programme, which digitally connects 16 ministries to “coordinate their plans for infrastructure projects and accelerate the work of Indian scientists and engineers”.
About India’s assumption of the G20 presidency, Gates said it was “a great opportunity to highlight how innovations in India can benefit the world, and to help other countries adopt them.” Payment systems elsewhere—a high priority for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Gates is co-chairman of the foundation.
Gates praised PM Modi’s efforts to eradicate more “deadly and debilitating diseases”. “The Prime Minister told me about an interesting movement taking shape in India: communities are ‘adopting’ TB patients to ensure they get the nutrition and care they need,” he wrote.
He also praised the country’s initiative to promote universal basic literacy and numeracy across the country.
‘Flavored millet khichdi’
The Microsoft co-founder also highlighted the ‘Mission Innovation (MI)’ launched in 2015 where India is a key partner and works to accelerate work on clean energy technologies.
“I look forward to working with MI partners during the COP28 summit this December to accelerate the development of new sources of affordable, reliable clean energy.”
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Gates also wrote about his visit to the India Council of Agricultural Research in Pusa, “where I learned about efforts to help farmers adapt to a warmer climate, including planting new varieties of wheat and gram that Can withstand drought”. “Scientists are also working to extend the shelf life of millet-based products. Millets are highly nutritious – a superfood, as PM Modi has said – and are water-saving and heat-tolerant. There are also wales. A type of porridge, at a ‘godh bharai’ ceremony – which is like a baby shower, for two women organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.”
“I hope India continues this progress and shares its innovations with the world,” Gates added.
Watch Bill Gates says that India can become an innovation hub for the world.
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