PM Modi interacts with Bill Gates; talks global co-ordination to curb COVID-19
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New Delhi, May 15: PM Narendra Modi discussed the importance of global coordination in scientific innovation and research to combat the pandemic with Microsoft's Former CEO and Gates Foundation co-chair Bill Gates via Video conference. PM Modi also appreciated Bill and his Foundation for their health-related work not only in India but also in many countries.
PM Modi marked the conscious approach which India has adopted in its battle against the health crisis-an approach based on ensuring public engagement through appropriate messaging.
Had an extensive interaction with @BillGates. We discussed issues ranging from India’s efforts to fight Coronavirus, work of the @gatesfoundation in battling COVID-19, role of technology, innovation and producing a vaccine to cure the pandemic. https://t.co/UlxEq72i3L
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 14, 2020
He sought suggestions from Mr. Gates on how India’s capacities and capabilities could be better leveraged for the general benefit of the world.
PM Modi also explained how the "people-centric bottom-up approach" has helped to win acceptability for physical distancing, respect for front-line workers, wearing of masks, maintaining proper hygiene, and respecting lockdown provisions."
The dignitaries also discussed drawing upon India’s unique model of last-mile health service delivery in rural areas, dissemination of the effective contact-tracing Arogya Settu mobile app developed by the Government of India, and leveraging India’s massive pharmaceutical capacity to scale-up the production of vaccines and therapeutics upon their discovery.
While interacting they agreed that given India’s willingness and capacity to contribute to global efforts, particularly for benefit of fellow developing countries, it was important for India to be included in the ongoing global discussions for coordinating responses to the pandemic.
PM Modi, also suggested that the Gates Foundation could take the lead in analysing the necessary changes in lifestyles, economic organisation, social behavior, modes of disseminating education and healthcare that would emerge in the post-COVID world, and the associated technological challenges that would need to be addressed. “India would be happy to contribute to such an analytical exercise, based on its own experiences,” he said.
However, the interaction between PM Modi and Gates comes nearly a month after, the Microsoft co-founder, commended PM Modi's leadership and praised him for taking ‘bold steps’ in India’s fight against coronavirus, in his letter.