Naveen Patnaik Has Led a Remarkable Turnaround in Odisha: Bill Gates Heaps Praises on CM Naveen After Returning From India

Bhubaneswar: Billionaire philanthropist and co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates has heaped praises on Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and has admired the development and progress that Odisha has achieved. Bill Gates had come to Odisha on a two-day visit recently and held interactions and field visits to various places to experience various developmental activities in the state. He also met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, interacted with 5T Chairman Kartik Pandian and other officials during his visit. After returning from India, he has heaped praises on CM Naveen Patnaik and the development and progress that Odisha has achieved.

Writing his memoires about Odisha visit in his blog, Bill Gates wrote “Last week, I got my wish and returned to India—and now that I’m home, I can’t wait to go back for another visit”.

Titled as an amazing transformation, he wrote “On Wednesday I was in Bhubaneswar, where I learned about a government program that’s providing things like electricity, paved roads, and playgrounds in Odisha state’s low-income communities. I got to hear from several local women who—after being trained in engineering and other skills—are leading construction projects to bring these services to their community. I loved hearing their inspiring stories about the challenges they’ve overcome—it’s a stunning before-and-after story.”
Praising the digital interventions of the Odisha Government for agriculture and farmer development. Bill Gates wrote “I got to see India’s DPI in action when I toured an agricultural monitoring center in Bhubaneswar. At this facility, government agriculture experts send advice and real-time updates to 6.5 million farmers via phone. Since this center opened, local farmers are losing 90 percent less of their crops to pests than they used to.”

He also wrote about his interactions with 5T Chairman Kartik Pandian “I heard from Karthikeya Pandian (pictured walking with me) about the two government initiatives he runs in Odisha. One is designed to improve governance and public services, and the other provides villages with internet facilities, sports fields, training for self-help groups, banking services, and digital connectivity.”

Terming Odisha as State of Growth and Praising Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for the development and progress of the state, Bill Gates wrote “During his 24 years as Odisha’s Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik (pictured sitting at the table with me) has led a remarkable turnaround in the state. Its economy is growing and poverty is plummeting. He and I discussed Odisha’s accomplishments in agriculture, sanitation, and other areas.”

Our co-chair, @BillGates interacted with Sanjita Sahoo, who has benefited from Odisha’s @TheJagaMission. He learned more about the distinctive model of urban service delivery that has enabled slums to gain access to critical civic infrastructure and services. @CMO_Odisha… pic.twitter.com/LKT6XiFLbB

— Gates Foundation India (@BMGFIndia) March 7, 2024

In a social media post, Gates Foundation India wrote “Our co-chair, Bill Gates interacted with Sanjita Sahoo, who has benefited from Odisha’s Jaga Mission. He learned more about the distinctive model of urban service delivery that has enabled slums to gain access to critical civic infrastructure and services.