Gates Does Good

Interesting news coming out of India today about Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates pledging 100 million dollars to fight HIV/AIDS in India. He had a pretty inciteful opinion piece published in the New York Times this past weekend, and there are a plethora of stories today both in the Indian and international press covering Gates' visit to India. More than anything I am glad someone with so much clout is recognizing the potential security threat both to India and its neighbors that a massive spread of HIV/AIDS can present to the world. Finally and most importantly Gates is my hero of the day because the issue of HIV/AIDS is not typical to India-Pakistan, Kashmir, or Nukes issues, but rather something that presents a real problem to the Average Indian. A problem that the Indian government does not seem to be acting on strongly enough. Thanks Bill and Melinda foundation!

Here are a few of the interesting Articles
Gates to Give $100M for India AIDS
As AIDS Spreads, India Struggles for a Workable Strategy
Gates Foundation to Give $100 Million to Fight AIDS in India

And in typical Indian fashion, typical to why there has been little improvement inside of India with slowing the HIV/AIDS spread, former Bollywood Actor and current Health Minister Shatrugan Sinha suggests that Gates, by drawing attention to HIV/AIDS in India is "spreading panic among the
general public." If anyone is outraged or would like to comment to Mr. Sinha he can be reached at shatrugn@sansad.nic.in (this was found on the Indian government's website).

And finally, here is a link to the Gates Foundations website and today's announcement.

posted by sajit @ 5:53 PM