Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has revealed the intriguing story behind his “good friendship” with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, a relationship that began with an initial refusal to meet. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Naidu disclosed that he and Gates are currently collaborating on a “very interesting” and “game-changer” project within the health sector.
First meeting of Naidu and Gates
Naidu recounted the challenging circumstances of their first encounter during the 1990s when Gates was in New Delhi. Despite Naidu’s then-position as Andhra Pradesh’s Chief Minister, officials informed him that Gates was busy and “didn’t have any work with politicians.” Undeterred, Naidu remained steadfast, insisting he had ideas he wished to share with the tech visionary.
“Then he (Gates) offered me to come and join the cocktail party. At that time, there was a stigma that if you go there, you are also in that party. So, I said no,” Naidu explained, highlighting his refusal to attend the social gathering.
After “great difficulty,” Gates eventually agreed to a brief 10-minute meeting. Naidu dedicated a week to meticulously preparing a presentation, during which he emphasised the “strength of India” to Gates. “Everything I explained to him,” Naidu added.
Gates was reportedly “very much impressed” by the presentation and inquired how he could assist. Naidu’s response was insightful: “Don’t do anything for me. You believe in India, and also don’t forget about Indians.” He then proposed that if Microsoft was considering a development center outside of Seattle, Hyderabad should be a prime contender. This suggestion materialised into reality with the establishment of Microsoft’s first development center outside Seattle in 1998.
What was initially slated as a 10-minute meeting extended to 45 minutes. Following this pivotal interaction, Naidu also traveled to Seattle for further discussions with Gates, culminating in a joint press conference. This series of events, Naidu shared, is how he “cultivated” his friendship with the tech billionaire.
“This is how things will happen dramatically sometimes. Now he has become a good friend. Recently, he came and we had a very good meeting,” Naidu told NDTV, reflecting on their enduring bond.
Regarding their new collaborative venture, Naidu revealed that the Gates Foundation is focusing on three core sectors: health, agriculture, and education. Specifically, in the health domain, the project aims to make healthcare “totally” online, enabling real-time monitoring with the integration of artificial intelligence, among other advancements.
“That will be very interesting. It will be a game-changer in the health sector,” Naidu affirmed.