No matter how loud Opposition parties are shouting in Parliament against the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, the reality is Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘bold decision’ has received support from international media, global bank chiefs and even world’s richest man. While the opposition parties have been protesting the demonetisation move, Microsoft founder Bill Gates applauded the drive to weed out black money from the system. It describe it as an “important step to move away from a shadow economy”.

Delivering the second Transforming India lecture organised by NITI Aayog, Bill Gates hailed the demonetisation drive, saying “The Prime Minister’s bold move to demonetise high-value denominations and replace them with new notes with high security features is an important step to deflate India’s shadow economy.”