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"A Night for India"- AIF Partners with Gates Foundation to fight HIV/AIDS in India
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Rema Nanda
rema.nanda@aifoundation.org / (646)530-8967
A “Night for India” in Dallas to bring together corporate philanthropists and local community leaders for an evening fundraiser at Hotel Anatole.
DALLAS – Through a partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the American India Foundation (AIF) is mobilizing resources and supporters for a special black-tie dinner fundraiser in Dallas on May 16th, 2007. The proceeds will benefit AIF’s programs for combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic in India.
The “Night for India” event in Dallas, will honor Texas Instruments for its corporate leadership and activist Anandi Yuvaraj for their commitment to combating HIV//AIDS in India.
Currently, less than 10% of those needing the antiretroviral medication to fight HIV/AIDS are receiving treatment through the Indian government, according to the country’s National AIDS Control Organization. Scaling up successful programs like those created by the Gates Foundation and AIF and the dedication of socially-conscious business leaders will improve India’s capacity to care for those affected by the epidemic.
“India stands at a critical point in this epidemic, with HIV/AIDS poised to expand, but large-scale prevention and other interventions today could help contain a more serious epidemic in the future,” said Rema Nanda, Director of Public Health for AIF.
By joining forces, AIF and the Gates Foundation combine international experience in advancing social and public health programs with the management capabilities and resources of the global business community. “Business skills and assets can be the most potent weapon in the war against AIDS," says Ashok Alexander, Director of Avahan, Gates’ India initiative concluding, "Rather than hope that HIV/AIDS does not affect your business, think about how your business can affect the outcome of HIV/AIDS in India"India’s emerging status on the world stage and its 8% economic growth rate have been well documented, but this progress could be derailed by an epidemic that increasingly threatens the country’s most vulnerable populations. India has the highest number of HIV infections in the world, with 5.7 million people living with HIV/AIDS, according to estimates by UNAIDS.
The management capabilities and resources of the business community, which constitutes a large part of AIF’s donor base, make it a powerful ally in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Business leaders are learning that they must increase their roles in public-private partnerships to fight the disease and its stigma, because beyond the tragic human toll, it also impacts India’s burgeoning economy. The epidemic is predicted to reduce India’s average annual growth rate by 1% during the next 14 years, according to the country’s National Council of Applied Economic Research.
About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to reduce inequalities and improve lives around the world. Through its India AIDS initiative, Avahan, prevention programs based on community mobilization and behavior change reach those most at risk of contracting and spreading HIV. In addition, Avahan supports efforts to create an enabling environment by galvanizing political and societal leaders, increasing resources, and reducing the stigma of HIV/AIDS. For more information, please visit www.gatesfoundation.org.
About the American India Foundation (AIF)
The American India Foundation is a non-profit foundation charged with the mission of accelerating social and economic change in India. AIF mobilizes people and resources across the United States for its three pillars of development work in India: Education, Livelihood, and Public Health. AIF was formed in 2001 under the leadership of President Bill Clinton, who continues to serve as Honorary Chair. For more information, please visit www.aif.org.
Press Inquiries:
Rema Nanda at AIF in New York: (646) 530-8967
Bhuvana Bhagat at AIF in New York: (646) 530 8974