Bill Gates meets Modi, praises sanitation initiative

Microsoft founder Bill Gates called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with his wife Melinda Gates Friday and praised the government's emphasis on community sanitation initiatives.

Gates also lauded Modi's focus on sanitation as a critical driver of child health, and an important factor in the safety and dignity of women and girls, a statement from the prime minister's office said.

Discussing the "Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana", Gates voiced support for the prime minister's vision for access to financial services for all.

Gates also appreciated India's efforts in introducing four critical new vaccines in its universal immunization programme.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation expressed keenness to continue its partnership with India in this area, the statement said.

Modi praised the spirit of philanthropy and public good with which the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has been working.

"He appreciated the Foundation's efforts in healthcare in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, and discussed with them how these efforts could be integrated with the existing programmes of the government," the statement added.

Bill and Melinda Gates also appreciated the improvement in institutional delivery by involving public and private sector health facilities in Gujarat, where Modi was chief minister before he became prime minister in May.

Modi also shared with the Gates, his ideas for the innovative use of technology for waste water management to irrigate peri-urban land and encourage organic farming.