[Reader-list] Fwd: [Commons-Law] Gates wants window to India's national ID project

[Jeebesh]

Now!!

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Nishant | निशाँत <nicheant at gmail.com>
> Date: 24 July 2009 9:09:51 PM GMT+05:30
> To: commons-law at sarai.net
> Subject: [Commons-Law] Gates wants window to India's national ID  
> project
>
> Take note of the portions on the national ID project.
>
> Nishant.
>
> -----------------------------------------------------
>
> http://ibnlive.in.com/news/gates-wants-window-to-indias-national-id-project/97823-7.html
>
> Gates wants window to India's national ID project
>
> New Delhi: Microsoft founder Bill Gates on Friday said it would be a
> "big mistake" if the US curbs the entry of skilled workers from
> abroad, rallying behind the "smart people" from countries like India
> that has a globally recognised outsourcing industry.
>
> He also said Microsoft will like to partner the Indian government in
> its ambitious plan to give a unique identity number and a biometric
> card to each of its 1.17 billion people.
>
> "I can't make any predictions. Immigration policy could get more
> difficult. Microsoft as a company is very vocal. It would be a big
> mistake," said Gates, here for overseeing the philanthropic activities
> of the foundation he has formed with his wife Melinda.
>
> "The US Congress is very tough on immigration. But why not make an
> exception for smart people?" he said at an interactive session
> organised by the National Association of Software and Service
> Companies (Nasscom) at the Durbar Hall of Taj Palace Hotel here.
>
> Gates even maintained that the job market in the US had not shifted
> anywhere, when asked to respond to US President Barack Obama's
> comments that he will not like jobs to be taken away from Buffalo to
> outsourcing companies in Bangalore.
>
> "If we get the statistics, about 1,800 US people are working here  
> (in India)."
>
> Even though Gates now devotes most of his time to the Bill and Melinda
> Gates Foundation, he has always been vocal about his support for
> migrant professionals that is reflected in the number of such workers
> at the Microsoft offices in the US.
>
> According to Nasscom, Indian nationals accounted for 157,726 H1B
> visas, or 37.8 percent of the 409,619 admissions under this US
> programme in 2008. This is a drop of about 3,000 professionals
> compared to 2007.
>
> Gates said he was also keen to partner India in its ambitious plan to
> issue a single identity card and number to its 1.17 billion citizens
> for which a new authority has been formed under Infosys Technologies
> co-founder Nandan Nilekani.
>
> "Microsoft wants to be part of the Unique Identification Authority of
> India project," he said, adding that he hoped to meet with Nilekani to
> discuss the issue.
>
> "I am very excited about the project. It is a great initiative. We
> need to make sure every data is accurate. From a mobile phone number
> to anything," Gates told the conference, also addressed by Minister
> for State for Communications Sachin Pilot.
>
> During his current visit, Gates announced a major increase in his
> foundation's AIDS prevention commitment to India to $338 million,
> saying India's drive in this regard could serve as a model for the
> rest of the world.
>
> Launched in 2003, his family foundation provides funding and support
> to targeted HIV prevention programmes in six Indian states, including
> Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, and along the national trucking routes
> through an initiative called "Avahan".
>
> Prior to this, the foundation had committed a total of $258 million
> for the purpose.
>
> Gates, who has always maintained a packed schedule during his visits
> to India, was also scheduled to meet with Health Minister Ghulam Nabi
> Azad and hold a videoconference with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish
> Kumar.
>
> Another reason behind the current visit is to receive the Indira
> Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development on behalf of his
> foundation, being recognised for "pioneering and exemplary
> philanthropic work around the world and in India in health".
>
> As of July, the foundation has committed nearly $1 billion for health
> and development projects in India. Globally, it has committed nearly
> $12 billion in grants for global health, the foundation claimed in a
> statement.
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