NEW DELHI: Even as Microsoft founder Bill Gates held discussions with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his ministers and toured Amravati and the state Secretariat, the red carpet welcome accorded to him in the state drew considerable online criticism due to the billionaire’s ties with Jeffrey Epstein.
Gates was received at Gannavaram Airport by the state IT minister, Nara Lokesh.
He then went to the state Secretariat, where he was welcomed by the chief minister, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and the other ministers.
The chairman of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation visited the Real Time Government Society for an hour, as the chief minister gave a detailed presentation on the functioning of RTGS towards providing civic services, including using Data Lake and WhatsApp governance.
Naidu recalled his first meeting with Bill Gates in 1997, when he had presented his vision for IT in unified Andhra Pradesh.
He said, “What began as a conversation about building a technology ecosystem back then has now evolved into a broader mission of using innovation to transform governance and improve lives at scale… We discussed our priority sectors and explored avenues for collaboration with the Gates Foundation to empower our people and enhance their quality of life.”
They also discussed the implementation of the Sanjeevani health project in Naidu’s constituency, Kuppam, with the help of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
The project includes digital health records and low-cost diagnostic services.
Following his visit to RTGS, Gates accompanied Naidu to Undavalli to get a first-hand look at the upcoming capital city, Amaravati.
He was given a traditional welcome, which was followed by a demonstration of the use of drones in farming.
“Andhra Pradesh is delivering AI-generated, precise advisories to farmers based on their crops, market prices and soil conditions. We are also actively promoting natural farming and sustainable agricultural practices,” stated Naidu.
He also highlighted his plans for 30 per cent green and blue spaces in the capital city.
Gates also recollected his long association with Naidu, terming him his good old friend.
He added when he was trying to explain digital governance to the world, Naidu implemented it. - The Statesman/ANN
