Mark Zuckerberg changes Facebook profile image in support of Digital India; Narendra Modi follows suit

Ahead of the town hall with PM Narendra Modi at the Facebook headquarters, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has changed his profile picture in support of Modi's Digital India initiative. The new profile picture put up by Zuckerberg features his own display picture in the background with a pattern having colours of the Indian flag overlaying it.

"I changed my profile picture to support Digital India, the Indian government's effort to connect rural communities to the internet and give people access to more services online. Looking forward to discussing this with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Facebook today," says Zuckerberg in a Facebook post.

Facebook also gives other users a chance to show their support for Digital India. Users can visit fb.com/supportdigitalindia to have their own version of the profile picture in support of Digital India. Once created and put up, the image, by default, will remain as the profile picture till October 31. Users can, however, choose to keep it as the display image after October 31.

Narendra Modi has responded to Zuckerberg's gesture by putting up a similar picture on his Facebook page. "Thanks Mark Zuckerberg for the support. I changed my DP in support of the efforts towards a Digital India. Your too can change your DP at fb.com/supportdigitalindia," says a post on the Narendra Modi Facebook page.

The Indian premier continues his Silicon Valley tour on Sunday with visits to Facebook and Google headquarters before an event at the San Jose Convention Center that 18,000 people are expected to attend.

Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg announced Modi's visit on his Facebook page earlier this month and invited users to post questions.

More than 37,000 comments were made in reply, with questions ranging from those about Internet expansion in India, unemployment rates and calls for Modi to address his human rights record.

I changed my profile picture to support Digital India, the Indian government's effort to connect rural communities to...Posted by Mark Zuckerberg on Sunday, September 27, 2015