Re: Why India is not on US PEPFAR List, Is it due to corruption?

[Guest guest]

Highly irresponsible and deplorable statement

It is highly improper on the part of an academician of a reputed institution to

pass a summary statement about the reasions for India not being in the PEPPFAR

list of the USA.

I presume that the Professor has been quoted correctly by Mr.Gaurav Chaturvedi.

Is the Profeesor authorized to make a statement on behalf of the Govt. of US ?

He may kindly come up with the details/evidence to substantiate the

'allegation'that Govt. of India missed it because of corruption.

May I humbly request the genleman about the grounds on the basis which he has

callosly commented about the Govt. of India/AIDS control authorities.

The statement is highly demoralizing and demotivating for all of us fighting the

menace of HIV/AIDS and the gentleman should either come up with the evidence for

the reson for which Govt. of US decided like that.

In the absence of the same we owe a public apology from him.

-

Dr.Rajesh Gopal,

MBBS(AIIMS)MD(PATH)

IMMUNOLOGY(DST-SERC SCHOOL OF GOVT.OF INDIA )at the

DEPTT. OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY(SGPGIMS),LUCKNOW

Deputy Director,

Gujarat State AIDS Control Society,

O/1Block,New M.H.Complex,

Meghaninagar,Ahmedabad(Gujarat)PIN 380016 (INDIA)

Phone (O) 079-22680211--12--13,22685210 Fax 079-22680214

E-mail: <dr_rajeshg@...>

[Guest guest]

[Moderators note: With grave concern this message has been approved. Please

respect the diversity of opinions and avoid personal attacks and innuendos]

Dear FORUM,

Please don't get hypertensive. Sach hamesha karwa hota hai –

the truth is always bitter. That is why probably the statement of the

professor has bitten you so deep. Your attitude, expression and

assertiveness demonstrate a strong denial of institutionalised

corruption and may be, your refusal would further help in

strengthening it. If you do not have an open mind to accept it, you

will never be able to fight against it, I can bait you on that. There

are numerous evidences about misuse of funds, under-utilisation, (and

corruption?) by the government of India, and of course by NACO! What

other evidence you need? Chargesheeting government officials like

prominent Indian politicians? Well, that day is also not too far. I

would recommend you to just wait and watch!

By the way, are you authorised by the Government of India to react to

Mr. Gaurav Chaturvedi's mail and ask for a public apology from

the professor?

The decision of the US for not to include India in PEPPFAR list on

the basis of corruption, is a matter of " perception " of the

western world that has its strong root in the history of India's

50 years of economic development. Moreover, why should US government

give evidence to anybody to prove that India missed it because of

corruption? Just because Dr. Rajesh Gopal needs it?

HIV is a billion dollar business today and government is the most

important stakeholder in this business. Of course it will feel

demoralising and demotivating when someone loses a few million

dollars' business. If you have such a strong perception about

taking an apology from the professor, please remember that counter-

perception also exist, and I am not alone on this side.

Yours sincerely

Subir K. Kole

East-West Center, Honolulu, Hawaii

Center for Cultural & Technical Interchange Between East & West Inc.

Subir K. Kole

Graduate Research Fellow

904-C Hale Manoa, MSC 836

1711 East-West Road

Honolulu, Hawaii 96848-1711

USA

Phone: + 808 944-6199

Email: subir@...

Website: www.EastWestCenter.org

[Guest guest]

Dear FORUM,

" He may kindly come up with the details/evidence to substantiate the

'allegation'that Govt. of India missed it because of corruption " .

LOL. I doubt that. The US government, certainly the current one, is incredibly

corrupt and unscientific. That is a situation of " the pot calling the kettle

black. " Although I have little doubt that there is corruption in the Indian

government. The bureaucracy alone is staggeringly horrific in India. And EVERY

government has its share.

The reason that won't be spoken that India is not on PEPFAR is for the

incredibly GOOD thing the nation has done in breaking patents and bringing

prices down enormously by providing generic antiretrovirals. The US government

has no desire, certainly not the White House or the House of Reps, to help THAT

situation out. They'd rather impoverished and middle income nations bleed health

programs to death by sending more outrageous amounts of money for overpriced

pharmaceutical company drugs. Add to that the heady mix of religious/christian

fundamentalism and " just say abstinence " nonsense and you can be sure India just

dropped right off the face of the planet as far as PEPFAR is concerned. Gosh too

darn many Hindus and Muslims and what are you gonna do?

Let's be serious. All humans have corruption as our dark side. Sadly, way too

few choose to turn from it and do what is so obviously right and what is

scientifically validated. Prevention programs that take into account human

nature and seek to help stem the tide of HIV must include frank discussions of

sex, condoms, needle access programs, sane drug treatment programs and access to

health care.

I think the new Congress may well be more adept at reining in the bloated

ureaucracy in India and instituting stronger and more effective prevention and

treatment programs. And to help improve government hospitals so they are fully

and honorably staffed. And the myriad problems the great and marvelous nation of

India faces -- and I say that with all sincerity.

Despite its pitfalls, I love India and there are so MANY incredibly brave, smart

and good people there already engaged in this fight against perhaps the worst

pandemic in our shared human history.

Indeed, I love the United States too. It is why it pains me so deeply to see

radical extremists destroy its honor and global integrity.

M.

E-mail: <fiar@...>

[Guest guest]

Dear members,

why should we bother at all whether US money comes or not.

But so long as NACO remains within the health and family welfare ministry,

nothing will move.

It is time that it gains financial and technical independence of the GoI.

The new Minister is a progressive and dynamic person and I only hope that

babus do not mislead him.

BRITTO

Director:NARC

E-mail: <britto@...>