Bhubaneswar: Microsoft and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation co-founder Bill Gates visited the Maa Mangala Basti in the Niladri Bihar area of Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
During his visit to the slum, philanthropist Bill Gates interacted with the residents and discussed various schemes launched by the Odisha government, including MUKTA and JAGA Mission.
While the JAGA Mission is a scheme for developing slums, the ‘Mukta’ scheme aims to provide employment opportunities for the urban poor.
During Gates’ visit to Maa Mangala Basti, Gates was accompanied by Development Commissioner Anu Garg, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing and Urban Development, G Mathivathanan, and other senior officials of the Odisha Government.
Later in the day, Gates is scheduled to visit the Krushi Bhawan in the capital and meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
It is worth mentioning here that the Odisha Government had in 2017 signed an MoU with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for increased use of data management in the agriculture sector. The agreement between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the state government aims to improve the lives of small farmers and support inclusive growth in the agri sector.
