I found inspiration in India: Bill Gates shares highlights from India visit

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was in India recently. Gates started his India trip with Odisha's capital, Bhubaneswar. During the almost week-long India visit, Gates met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishanakar. Gates also visited IIT Delhi recently and also the state of Odisha, where he met with chief minister Naveen Patnaik. In a post on his blog Gates Notes, Gates has shared what he called "a few highlights from another incredible trip to India."

"Around this time last year, I wrote a Gates Notes post that began: “I just returned from my visit to India, and I can’t wait to go back again.” 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," wrote Gates, at the start of his blog.

India trip: The big goal
"My goal was to get an update on some of the world-changing ideas and inventions that are coming out of India, and that’s exactly what I got. I spent four days there, meeting with political leaders, government officials, scientists, philanthropists, women who are lifting their communities out of poverty, and many others. The Gates Foundation funds more work in India than in any other country (other than the United States), and it’s always uplifting and educational to be there in person and see the impact of the efforts we’re supporting. Here are a few photos from my visit," he added.

An hour with PM Modi
"Late in my trip, I had the privilege of spending an hour with Prime Minister Modi and some of his cabinet ministers. We had a great conversation about how the Gates Foundation can continue to support India’s goals on digital technology, women-led development, and innovation in agriculture, health, and climate change," wrote Gates about his meeting with PM Modi.

The IIT Idea
Gates also visited IIT-Delhi, during his visit, he wrote, "I love talking with college students, and my visit to the New Delhi campus of the Indian Institutes of Technology was no exception. The students and faculty were brimming with ideas and optimism about the innovations that will help solve some of the world’s biggest challenges."

A joyous occasion
My trip was scheduled around the pre-wedding celebration of Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. He was accompanies by Paula Hurd.

Summing up
"I came home with a deeper understanding of India’s vibrant innovation ecosystem and how it’s generating major advances in health, urban poverty, digital services, and much more. The world has a lot to learn from the ideas coming out of this country," is how Gates concluded.