New Delhi – Melinda French Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill Gate Foundation meet President of India HE Droupadi Murmu today at Rashtarpati Bhawan in New Delhi.
Welcoming Ms Melinda French Gates to Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President was happy to note the work done by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation over the past two decades.
The President said that the Government of India is investing significantly in health and development through a range of flagship initiatives. The Government is making special efforts to ensure an inclusive approach, so that the benefits reach the most vulnerable and disadvantaged sections of society.
She expressed confidence that the Foundation would also make efforts to reach those who are most in need – whether they are women and girls, tribal communities, or those residing in remote parts of the country. The President also highlighted the role of women in the overall development of the country, and called on the Foundation to continue its efforts towards gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The President appreciated the pioneering work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in public health, infectious disease control and malaria and TB prevention. She encouraged the Foundation to also give attention to other serious ailments, such as sickle cell anemia, which particularly afflicts tribal communities. The President also appreciated the good work of the Foundation in the area of agricultural development, and urged the Foundation to consider starting cooperative marketing initiatives for minor forest produce in tribal areas.
Speaking about India taking over the G20 Presidency, the President said that India’s experience and best practices can be very useful lessons for other developing countries. In particular, India’s rich and diverse tribal heritage can be showcased to the world – living in harmony with nature, traditional systems of medicine, and a genuine ‘sustainability’ approach are the hallmarks of this unique lifestyle.
President appreciated pioneering work of the Gates Foundation in public health and infectious disease control.
Melinda French Gates, Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation calls on the President #DroupadiMurmu at @rashtrapatibhvn today
President appreciated pioneering work of @gatesfoundation in public health and infectious disease controlhttps://t.co/6e5wwnBtQ2 pic.twitter.com/6rxgfH84rF
— PIB India (@PIB_India) December 6, 2022
Melinda French Gates is a philanthropist, businesswoman, and global advocate for women and girls. As co-chair of the foundation, she shapes and approves the organization’s strategies and overall direction, reviews results, and works with grantees and partners to further the foundation’s goal of improving equity in the United States and around the world.
Through her work at the foundation over more than two decades, Melinda has seen firsthand that empowering women and girls can transform the health and prosperity of families, communities, and societies. Her work has led her to focus increasingly on gender equity as a lever for change. In 2015, Melinda founded Pivotal Ventures, a company working to accelerate the pace of social progress in the United States.
About Melinda French Gates
Melinda is the author of the bestselling book The Moment of Lift, in which she introduces readers to the inspiring women she has met during her work and travels around the world and shares her own journey to becoming an advocate for women and girls.
The second of four children, Melinda grew up in Dallas, Texas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and economics and an MBA, both from Duke University. She spent the first decade of her career developing multimedia products at Microsoft before leaving the company to focus on her family and philanthropic work.
She has three children—Jenn, Rory, and Phoebe—and lives in Seattle, Washington.
Via – PIB | Melinda Gates Foundation
