Facebook’s Zuckerberg connects with Modi, almost

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has offered Prime Minister Narendra Modi support for the Indian government's effort to connect rural communities to the internet, while Modi reciprocated by harping on the importance of social media in governance.

Speaking at a Townhall at Facebook headquarters at Menlo Park on Sunday, Modi said social media has become a great tool for governance and world leaders should adopt it. When I adopted social media, I did not know I will go on to become a CM or a PM, Modi told Zuckerberg.

"We don't have to wait for five years for elections to know effectiveness of governance, social media allows for accountability instantly. I ask all world leaders not to avoid social media and to connect to it," Modi said.

I never thought social media could be used in such a way when I started out with, it was out of curiousity, Modi added.

Zuckerberg has voiced strong support for the Digital India initiated by Prime Minister Modi`s government in his Facebook post. "Looking forward to discussing this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Facebook today,"

Earlier during the day, Mark Zuckerberg also changed his Facebook profile picture, ''I changed my profile picture to support Digital India,'' Zuckerberg said.

Facebook had issued strict instructions for employees and media personnel to follow a formal dress code for the townhall. A number of people from all walks of life were presented at the Menlo Park headquarters of the online social networking website.

The prime minister said social media has strengthened the bond between the government and people."Social media can tell the government where it`s going wrong, gives them opportunity for cross correction, this is the strength of democracy," he said during a question answer session at the Facebook headquarters.

"I wasn`t fortunate enough to get knowledge, wasn`t educated enough. But I think social media made up for that a lot," he added. He said that when he adopted social media he had no idea that would become the prime inister and it would help him in governance. "Today because of social media, the governments are being given a chance to fix mistakes," he added.

''Technology has connected the world. This is very helpful for service sector, tourism,'' Modi added.

Zuckerberg said his connection with India started when his mentor Steve Jobs asked him to visit a temple in India, a month long trip which reinforced his belief.

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''We are bringing technology into governance in a very big way. This is making governance easy, effective, economical and transparent,'' Modi said. He also said that now a lot of priority is placed on technology.

''Will connect all Indian villages via optical fibre,'' Modi said. He also said that India has huge potential in the field of tourism. ''iWays are as important as highways in 21st century,'' Modi said.