Bill Gates, through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, has engaged with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on several occasions to discuss and collaborate. Their discussions have primarily focused on public health, sanitation, agriculture, and technological advancements.
On behalf of the Government and people of Uttar Pradesh, I welcome Mr. Bill Gates and his team to Lucknow: #UPCM shri #YogiAdityanath pic.twitter.com/tKuESJaUV1
— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) November 17, 2017
A big issue comes from a 2009 clinical trial that was funded by the Gates Foundation, which reportedly led to the deaths of seven tribal schoolgirls and left many others severely ill. This incident has fueled accusations that India is treated as a “laboratory to try things” and that its citizens are viewed as “Guinea Pigs” for experimentation. Critics argue that such trials, even if intended for the public good, can have devastating consequences and raise ethical concerns about informed consent and oversight, especially in vulnerable populations.
Melinda Gates met with Yogi Adityanath and said Uttar Pradesh could be a model not just for India but the world.
On December 7, 2022, Melinda Gates, co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, met with Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (UP), at his residence. This meeting was significant because it highlighted UP’s progress in various sectors, especially in health management during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Had a wonderful meeting with co-chair & trustee of Bill & Melinda Gates foundation, @melindagates at my official residence in Lucknow today.
— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) December 7, 2022
We had fruitful discussion regarding better technical cooperation in the field of health, nutrition, social security & agriculture in UP. pic.twitter.com/dP5gqVG9JZ
Highlights from the Meeting:
- Praise for Covid Management:
- Melinda Gates commended UP’s efforts in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted the state’s success in vaccinating a large and dense population, which is a remarkable achievement under challenging conditions.
- Bill Gates’ fraud in Health Initiatives with the help of the government
- Gates mentioned that UP’s strategies for controlling diseases, such as encephalitis, have set a standard worth emulating. This shows how effective governmental leadership can positively impact public health.
- Digital Banking and Infrastructure:
- Gates acknowledged the advancements in digital banking within the state.
- Gates described the recent infrastructure improvements in UP as unprecedented, indicating that they contribute significantly to the state’s overall development.
In the agricultural sector, the Gates Foundation’s approach, particularly its support for the “Green Revolution” model, has drawn considerable criticism. This model, which promotes patented seeds, fossil-fuel-based fertilizers, and other high-input methods, is seen by many as exacerbating hunger, worsening inequality, and entrenching the power of agribusiness corporations.
Continuing Collaboration:
Both Gates and Adityanath discussed the potential for the Gates Foundation to strengthen its partnership, focusing on important areas such as healthcare, nutrition, and agriculture. This ongoing collaboration is aimed at improving the lives of the people in UP.
Ref:
- Bill Gates commits to working with the U.P. government on welfare schemes. [ https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bill-gates-commits-to-work-with-up-government-on-welfare-schemes/article20500013.ece ]
- Melinda Gates Meets Yogi Adityanath, Praises UP’s Development Model. [ https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/melinda-gates-meets-yogi-adityanath-praises-ups-development-model-3585712 ]