Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates meets Odisha CM

BHUBANESWAR: Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates visited the city and met chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday. He interacted with slum people in the city and reviewed works undertaken by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation here.
Bill spent more than 30 minutes at Maa Mangala Basti here and discussed the issues of the people. He also talked to the slum women by taking help of a translator.He wanted to know whether their condition has been improved. “We thanked him for helping us to improve our living conditions. We requested him to open a school for our kids,” said a woman from the slum.
Development commissioner Anu Garg said Bill interacted with members of women self-help groups. The women briefed him about the programmes. He expressed his happiness, she added.
Bill was honoured with the KISS Humanitarian Award 2023 here for his unparalleled contributions to enhancing global health, education and addressing climate change through innovative technology solutions aimed at reducing inequality.
He visited Krushi Bhawan and interacted with top officials of the agriculture department. With technical and consulting support from the Foundation, the department has developed the first centralised monitoring system for agriculture sector in India- Krushi Samiksha Kendra, where the interactions with Bill were conducted.
“Odisha has also emerged as a pioneer in digital public infrastructure in agriculture and is on track to launch one of the first comprehensive technology stacks for agriculture, livestock, and fisheries. This infrastructure has also enabled the department to further its farmer-centric initiatives including digital extension and scheme delivery- reaching over 70 lakh farmers in the state,” said agriculture department principal secretary Arabinda Kumar Padhee.
He said the govt and the foundation are keen to strengthen this bond, which is contributing to farmers' welfare within and beyond Odisha.
Later the philanthropist visited Mission Shakti bazaar inaugurated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday. He tasted Koraput Coffee there and purchased green gram dal, Kandhamal haldi and other products.
Before leaving the city, Bill met Naveen and spent some time at Naveen Niwas.