Narendra Modi’s leadership and the Indian government’s initiatives have played a crucial role in advancing sanitation efforts, according to a tweet from Bill Gates. Gates emphasized the need to build on the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission.

This isn’t the first instance of Gates praising Prime Minister Modi and the BJP-led central government for their commitment to improving sanitation in India. Previously, Gates, as the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, had commended the Indian government’s endeavors in addressing malnutrition and sanitation-related challenges.

Launched in October 2014 by Modi, the Swachh Bharat Mission has seen the construction of over eight crore toilets across India, resulting in more than five lakh villages becoming open defecation free. As part of the mission, the prime minister initiated the Swachhata Hi Seva movement on 15 September, aiming to fulfill Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of a Clean India.