India emerging as model for improvement in developing countries

In this NDTV opinion piece, Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, reflects on his recent trip to India, writing, "During my recent visit, I had a chance to see the latest progress on things that matter a lot to us: on eradicating polio and curtailing the spread of infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, for example." He continues, "And I saw how India is emerging as a model and increasingly a catalyst for improvement in other developing countries," adding, "The current situation in India is quite hopeful."

"A lot of progress has come from the nation's culture of innovation, which has produced some really original and creative solutions," he writes. Gates notes that "India has become a world leader in the development of high-quality, low-cost vaccines and other bio-pharmaceuticals, which are playing a huge role in improving health not only in south Asia but also in Africa and elsewhere," and highlights the country's progress against polio, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. "India's experience ... proves that success can be achieved -- against polio and other diseases, as well -- even in the most challenging circumstances," he concludes (6/20). Videos from his recent visit are available in his blog, "The Gates Notes" (6/18).