Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday received the Global Goalkeeper Award. The award was conferred to PM Modi by the Gates Foundation. The prestigious award was present to PM Modi by Microsoft founder and business tycoon Bill Gates. The award was conferred upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi for India's progress in the 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was kickstarted by Prime Minister Modi during his first tenure. 

READ: Narendra Modi Receives Global Goalkeeper Award, Bill Gates Hails India

PM Modi accorded with Global Goalkeeper Award

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the picture of the award ceremony. He took to Instagram and dedicated the award to the 1.3 billion Indians for their immense contribution to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Here's what he said:

"I dedicate this award to the 1.3 billion Indians for working hard to create a clean India."

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Apart from Instagram, PM Modi also shared the moments on his other social media handles. On Twitter, PM Modi shared pictures of himself and Bill Gates. He also asserted that sanitation efforts have thoroughly contributed to the welfare of women and children. 

"It makes me most happy that India’s successes in sanitation have helped women and children the most." he said 

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Bill Gates presents Global Goalkeeper Award to PM Modi

Bill Gates spoke about the relevant issues related to sanitation. He said that several countries face the issue. In his speech, the Microsoft Founder said: “We hear a lot about Malaria, and we should because it's devastating and we are making progress. But sanitation-related illnesses kill more kids every year than Malaria does. In 2014, PM Narendra Modi announced ‘Swacch Bharat Mission’ - a program with a very ambitious goal to eliminate open defecation in India. Before the project, the government estimated that more than half a billion people have been defecating in open. But today, just five years later, thanks to the leadership, of hundreds and thousands of people and communities across India, the vast majority now has access to safe sanitation. This progress is very critical for achieving SDG-6 (Sustainable Development Goals) for water and sanitation which is lagging far behind. While there is still more work to do, to sustain this progress, in the long run, we are already seeing the life-saving impact. India’s ‘Swacch Bharat Mission’ is already serving as a model for other countries around the world that urgently need to improve their access to safe sanitation. That’s why today I am pleased to be presenting the ‘Global Goalkeeper Award’ to PM Narendra Modi for the progress that India is making in improving sanitation.” 

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