Bill Gates, owner of the Microsoft empire and the richest man in the world, has donated $100 million to support AIDS treatment programs in India. This is one part of a project to combat the killer disease. For someone as rich as Bill Gates, this figure is a tiny drop in the sea of wealth he controls. What is of essence here is not the money given but the way the man sees humanitarian and charitable works.
The volume of charity work that our rich businesses and individuals do remains insignificant. To this is added the way the work is done. Only a few individuals and businesses are really involved and much of this is in the form of seasonal donations given to various philanthropic organizations. Even these are too small to reflect real credit upon the donors or to justify the paeans of praise our media shower upon them. Thus is charity in our country carried out — and there are no plans to expand or move into different areas. There is immense scope here for such activities which would benefit society in both the short and long term.
Consider for example, the field of medical research, specifically genetic diseases. This is an instance of our failure. Genetic diseases are common in our country and their presence has prompted the government to mandate medical checks for couples before they marry. Research in the area is still limited to individual efforts undertaken by a few under-financed and under-staffed academics with no outside financial support.
We are all aware of the seriousness of these diseases and despite writings and appeals, not a single billionaire, bank or other business establishment — all of whom make vast profits — has shown the slightest interest in addressing the problem. No one seems ready to support sustained research programs or even offer grants for short-term projects.
It is not a pretty picture and it shows how self-centered we have become. It reflects a lack of interest by people who are supposed to be actively involved in social work. It is a picture we hope will change soon.
Arab News Local Press 18 November 2002
