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Gates finds third trip to India very exciting

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

Microsoft chairman Bill Gates has said his latest and third trip to India has been a very exciting one. He assured that Microsoft Corp would continue to work closely with India.

Speaking on "realising potential with e-governance" to a large gathering at the Shilpakala Vedika auditorium near the Hitec City on Thursday night just before concluding his India trip, Gates said, "I am a big believer in e-government. India has more energy and commitment than any other country." He said this was evident from the pioneering projects undertaken in this country and competitive spirit that was displayed by Indian companies.

Gates said he was impressed with the work being done at the Microsoft India Development Centre at Hyderabad and pointed out that Microsoft Corp was committed to double the activity at this center in the next three years.

He expressed his appreciation for the e-governance projects taken up in Andhra Pradesh as well as in other states, particularly Karnataka. Recalling his first meeting with AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during his maiden visit to India in 1997, he said Naidu was the only chief minister who had met him at that time.

"He was the first politician whom I ever met who was carrying a computer. Since then, our relationship has come a long way," he added.

He said that during his previous trip to India in the year 2000, he had interacted with 14 chief ministers who had briefed him about the e-governance projects taken up in their states. However, it was obvious to him that Chandrababu Naidu was leading the way in e-governance.

Giving his impressions of his current trip to India, he lauded the exciting progress that this country has achieved in the last two years. During his second visit, deregulation was just taking place and connectivity to small cities was being established at that time.

"I am excited to see lot of progress and the way India is competing all over the world. It can make unique contributions in this exciting digital decade. India is emerging as a leader in e-governance. It has a special role to play in the digital revolution sweeping across the globe," Gates said.

India is now producing hundreds of thousands of graduates in the IT sector. The communications infrastructure has expanded in a big way. From just about 10 million telephones a couple of years ago, India is likely to have 100 million phones in the next three to four years.

He recalled his announcement of new investments of $400 million in India over the next three years, with focus on localisation, Microsoft India Development Centre, educational programmes and partnering with India programme.

He was impressed to see the progress and growth achieved by Indian software companies, such as Satyam in Hyderabad, which he visited earlier in the day.

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