Rural Development Ministry signs MoU with Gates Foundation to promote entrepreneurship in rural areas

The Rural Development Ministry recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, with the aim of empowering grassroots institutions for the poor, in rural areas.

The Ministry is a part of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), which works to reduce poverty through institutions for marginalised rural women. The DAY-NRLM encourages and supports potential women entrepreneurs in such areas in achieving gainful self-employment, besides creating skilled wage employment opportunities, as well.

The MoU was signed between Alka Upadhyaya, Additional Secretary of MoRD, and Alkesh Wadhwani, representing the Gates Foundation.

Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, commented on the partnership, saying, “We are extremely happy to sign the MoU with the Gates Foundation. We are striving to remove barriers such as poor health, gender inequality and lack of opportunities for women entrepreneurship while providing them access to financial institutions and markets.”