Bill Gates Names Modi, Ratan Tata, Ramanujan, and Dr. MK Bhan as Ideal Indian Dinner Guests:

Billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has named four notable Indians he would like to dine with: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, industrialist Ratan Tata, scientist Dr. Maharaj Kishan Bhan, and mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan. His choices reflect a deep admiration for India's contributions across politics, science, business, and mathematics.

Speaking on Raj Shamani’s podcast Figuring Out, Gates was asked to choose three Indian personalities—living or deceased—for an ideal dinner conversation. Instead, he offered four names, citing the difficulty in narrowing down the list.

Praise for Prime Minister Modi’s Vision

Gates applauded PM Modi’s leadership and his long-term strategy for India. "I get time with the Prime Minister and understand his vision and how we fit into that 2047 ambition," Gates said, referencing India’s development goals for its 100th year of independence.

Collaboration with Ratan Tata

Gates highlighted his philanthropic relationship with Ratan Tata, emphasizing their joint efforts and India’s vibrant innovation space. "I got to work with Ratan Tata and so many amazing philanthropists and innovators here in India," he noted.

Remembering Dr. MK Bhan and Srinivasa Ramanujan

On the scientific front, Gates spoke about the late Dr. MK Bhan, a key figure in establishing India’s Department of Biotechnology, calling him a “great scientist.”

Regarding Srinivasa Ramanujan, Gates expressed fascination with his exceptional mathematical genius, stating, “He was almost mysterious—how he was so brilliant at what he did.”

Admiration for India’s Innovation and AI Growth

Gates also praised India’s expanding startup ecosystem and noted the increasing use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, both in for-profit ventures and philanthropic projects.

When pressed to pick only three names, Gates admitted, “It’s hard to pick just three—India has so many incredible talents.”