The foundation stone laying ceremony for 'Fortune Galaxy', a forthcoming residential and commercial complex near the Propel Auto LPG station in Bajpe, was held on Sunday. This project, undertaken by the Fortune Promoters based in Moodubidiri, marks a significant development in the region.

Dr. M. Mohan Alva, President of Alvas Education Foundation, inaugurated the assembly program following the laying of the foundation stone. In his address, he commended Fortune Promoters for their commitment to providing legal and secure constructions, enhancing the infrastructure of Bajpe Nagar.

UT Khader, the President of the Karnataka State Assembly, unveiled the brochure of Fortune Promoters during the event. He expressed optimism about the positive impact 'Fortune Galaxy' will have on the environmental landscape of Bajpe, predicting a rise in the value of nearby plots with the development of the complex.

Acknowledging the role of Fortune Promoters in addressing housing needs, Khader emphasized the importance of private initiatives in supplementing government efforts. Former minister Abhayachandra Jain also lauded the organization for its transparency and experience in the construction sector, noting its adherence to legal procedures and quality assurance.

Anil Lobo, Chairman of MCC Bank in Mangalore, extended his best wishes to Fortune Promoters.

Bajpe Gram Panchayat former president Sahul Hameed, Fortune Promoters partners Abulal Puthige, Rony Fernandes, Denis Pereira, Mahendra Varma, Fortune Galaxy project co-promoter Hassan Abbas and others were present in the ceremony.

Sahil Zahir facilitated the proceedings as the host of the program.

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New York, May 13: Melinda French Gates will step down as co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the nonprofit she and her ex-husband Bill Gates founded and built into one of the world's largest philanthropic organisations over the past 20 years.

“This is not a decision I came to lightly,” French Gates posted on the X platform on Monday. “I am immensely proud of the foundation that Bill and I built together and of the extraordinary work it is doing to address inequities around the world.”

She praised the foundation's CEO, Mark Suzman, and the foundation's board of trustees, which was significantly expanded after the couple announced their divorce in May 2021.

“The time is right for me to move forward into the next chapter of my philanthropy,” French Gates wrote in her statement. She organises some of her investments and philanthropic gifts through her organisation, Pivotal Ventures, which is not a nonprofit.

Bill Gates thanked French Gates for her “critical” contributions to the foundations in a statement, saying, “I am sorry to see her leave, but I am sure she will have a huge impact in her future philanthropic work.”

French Gates will receive $12.5 billion as part of her agreement with Gates, which she said would commit to future work focused on women and families.

The Gates Foundation did not immediately return a request for comment about whether those assets would come from the foundation itself. In an emailed statement, the foundation said that Suzman announced the decision to employees on Monday.

“After a difficult few years watching women's rights rolled back in the US and around the world, she wants to use this next chapter to focus specifically on altering that trajectory,” Suzman said of French Gates.

Suzman said he knew many had joined the foundation in part because of their admiration for her advocacy, especially around gender equity.

“I know how beloved Melinda is here,” Suzman wrote.

The Gates Foundation holds $75.2 billion in its endowment as of December 2023, and announced in January, it planned to spend $8.6 billion through the course of its work in 2024.

The Associated Press receives financial support for news coverage in Africa from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and for news coverage of women in the workforce from Pivotal Ventures.