Bill Gates, Rahul Gandhi Visit Rae Bareli, Amethi
The US business tycoon, philanthropist and chairman of Microsoft, Bill Gates on Tuesday met rural women in Rae Bareli and Amethi, said media reports.
He was accompanied by AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi during the visit.
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is likely to strike a partnership with Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust that runs welfare activities in both the districts.
Rae Bareli is the parliamentary constituency of Congress President Sonai Gandhi and Rahul represents Amethi.
Bill’s visit came in the backdrop of her wife Melinda Gates having visited some villages in the state more than a month ago and committed Rs 250 crore for health programmes in a meeting with chief minister Mayawati.
Gates arrived in a chartered plane with Rahul and landed at Fursatganj airstrip in Rae Bareli, some 15 km from Jais. Jais is 32 km from Rae Bareli district headquaters.
Private US and Indian security rings guarded Gates and Rahul during their meetings with rural folk, reports said adding that even media and the state Congress leadership were kept at a distance.
During the visit, Bill headed a delegation of his foundation to the villages, said reports.
The foundation gives grants for global health and development programmes.
(Based on internet reports)
