Delhi, 24th, April 1997 — Bill Gates, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft Corporation today announced a personal donation of Rupees 2.5 crore to the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) computer education centre. This will enable BVB to assist less privileged people in acquiring jobs by equipping them with basic computer skills. BVB has established its first computer centre in Mumbai and intends to establish ten new centres in different parts of the country by 1998 that would be responsible for training over 10,000 students annually.
“I applaud the Bhavan’s efforts to build computer centres in India aimed at providing free computer education to underprivileged children and adults. I strongly believe that personal computers are excellent tools for empowering human beings around the world, and especially to help find more and better jobs. As a token of my commitment to job oriented education in India and in appreciation of the Bhavan’s efforts, the William H Gates Foundation would like to make a contribution of Rupees 2.5 crore towards a fund that will enable the operation of Bharitiya Vidya Bhavan’s computer centres.”
Stated Mr. Bill Gates in his letter to the BVB announcing the donation.
The contribution came after Bill Gates’ first visit to India in March 1997. In Mumbai, Mr Gates addressed BVB in the presence of the Prime Minister, industry leaders and senior government officials, urging them to harness the power and potential of personal computers to lead the country into the 21 st century. Mr. Gates emphasised that private industry and government both have crucial roles to play in ensuring that social benefits of personal computers reach the most needy sections of society, and that industry must take the lead in ensuring that IT is used to create new job opportunities in India. He had also announced a donation of software valued at Rupees 50 lakhs to the BVB computer education centre, on behalf of Microsoft Corporation.
Sanjay Parthasarthy, Regional Director, India Subcontinent Region, Microsoft Corporation, said
“Today’s donation reiterates Mr. Gates’ vision for India as a country that will impact the world IT market. It is important that the country invests in education and skills, enabling people to adapt to the changing work environment.”
Microsoft Corporation India Private Ltd is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation USA. It has had a presence in India since 1987 and currently has offices in New Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ
“MSFT”
) is the world-wide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
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