Sunday, May 16, 2010

Bill Gates in Bihar

Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, visited some of the poorest places in India a few days ago. He was in UP and Bihar. Perhaps we all are familiar with 'BIMARU', the acronym comprised of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. 'BIMARU', the acronym created by economists, reflects the poor economic condition of these states. It is a known fact that these states are the most corrupt states in the Union of India. These states have been producing ministers, IAS & IPS officers in large numbers since independence. Most of the MLAs and MPs are from these states. So, why 'BIMARU' is the Bimaru (poverty stricken, underdeveloped, corrupt, deprived, etc)?
 
Answer to my question is pretty simple. Most of the MLAs, MPs, IAS & IPS officers from these states are involved in corruption which is like the termite. It is slowly but steadily ruining our Mother India. Many politicians of these states are criminals. It is very simple to understand that they will be busy in looting the national wealth. What else can be expected from these murderers, dacoits whose names appear on the 'Most Wanted' list of Police Department? In Bihar many youngsters aspire to become IAS officers, not to honestly serve the nation but to make money easily by being bribed. It forces us to feel ashamed. This mind-set and the culture must be eradicated for India's development.

Bill Gates visited a remote village in Bihar where literacy rate is just 10% of the population. Often a man dies here in diarrhea cause hospital is at least 15 kms away from this place. A journalist asked an old man about his expectation from Bill Gates. The enquiry by the journalist reveals that theses villagers are expecting some serious development work in the area. They have faith in this super rich Angrej Saheb ( as foreigners with Caucasian ethnicity commenly called) cause he is not a politician. Isn't is interesting?

Bill Gates, the Chief of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is committed to development work in various parts of the world. He is very much willing to do something for the betterment of India, home to many employees of his 'Microsoft'. Bill Gates feels surprised when he compares two pictures of India. A country where Billioanires like Mukesh Ambani & Azim Premji live and a country where most of the people are poor with a great population living below poverty line (BPL).

Bill Gates will surely donate some money for the sustainble development of these areas. But the million dollar question is - "Will the money be properly utilized for development activities?"

- Arnab Mandal
  Durgapur