Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis meets Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates to discuss women empowerment, AI, and public health initiatives | X – @Dev_Fadnavis
Mumbai: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis met Microsoft co-founder and Gates Foundation chairman Bill Gates on Thursday and discussed the Lakhpati Didi initiative and the potential applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in governance, agriculture and health, officials said.
This marked the first meeting between Fadnavis and Bill Gates in Maharashtra. According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, Gates, who is currently visiting India, had earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other central ministers in New Delhi.
During the meeting, Fadnavis highlighted the state government’s goal of empowering 25 lakh women through the Lakhpati Didi initiative. He also emphasised efforts to support economically vulnerable women by providing them with Rs1,500 per month under the Ladki Bahin Yojana.
Gates expressed his commitment to supporting these initiatives, stating that both Microsoft and the Gates Foundation are ready to contribute. This includes aiding the digitisation of women’s financial transactions to further empower them. Gates added, “A key initiative will focus on training 10,000 women in AI, ensuring inclusivity in the tech revolution.”
To help Maharashtra become a model for digital governance and the Right to Service, Microsoft and the Gates Foundation will extend their support.
Bill Gates also pledged assistance for the state’s efforts to combat rising cases of malaria and dengue. The Gates Foundation will support the ‘Malaria-Free Maharashtra’ initiative and mosquito control programmes. Fadnavis announced that the foundation will provide technical and financial assistance, starting with the Gadchiroli district.
Fadnavis further shared the state’s plans to transition all power feeders to solar energy, ensuring round-the-clock electricity for farmers. He also discussed the development of an Innovation City on 300 acres in Navi Mumbai. In response, Gates assured financial and technical support for the Innovation City and other initiatives.
As the state undergoes a transformative phase, major projects are underway in infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare. Given the shortage of doctors in rural areas, Fadnavis also requested the Gates Foundation’s collaboration in delivering quality healthcare services to these regions.
Bill Gates tries hand on sprayer
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has tried his hand at a new pesticide sprayer made by a startup here, creating a more handy and efficient option for farmers to help them safely cover more crops at a time.
The sprayer has been designed by local engineer Yogesh Gawande, who formed a company in 2019 to manufacture the product in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Since then, Gawande has sold over 5,000 sprayers and has created direct and indirect employment opportunities for more than 100 people.
