Bill Gates Faces Backlash for Calling India a ‘Kind of Laboratory to Try Things’

Bill Gates Faces Backlash: Bill Gates, Co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, faced backlash on social media after a clip of him referring to India as "a kind of laboratory to try things" during a podcast with Reid Hoffman, Co-founder of LinkedIn, went viral.

"India is an example of a country where there are plenty of challenges-health, nutrition, education is improving, and they're stable enough, generating their own government revenue. It's very likely that 20 years from now, people will be dramatically better off. It's kind of a laboratory to try things that, when proven in India, can be taken to other places."

He further highlighted India's pivotal role in his philanthropic work, stating,

"Our biggest non-US office for the Foundation is in India, and we are running the most pilot programs there in partnership with local organizations."

Also Read: Cyclone Fengal: Puducherry Schools Shut, IMD Issues Rain Alerts for Karnataka, Kerala

Social Media Backlash The comments sparked a torrent of outrage online. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote:

"India is a laboratory, and we Indians are Guinea Pigs for Bill Gates. This person has managed everyone-from the Government to opposition parties to the media. His office operates here without FCRA clearance, and our education system has made him a hero! When will we wake up?"

The post was accompanied by a snippet of the podcast, which quickly went viral.

Defenders Push Back

Amid the criticism, several voices rose to Gates' defense, arguing that his statement was taken out of context. A user countered:

Also Read: Tripura Hotels Ban Bangladeshi Tourists Amid Attacks on Hindus: No Stay or Meals Allowe

"I genuinely don't understand this conspiracy theory attitude against Bill Gates in India. There's no guinea pig-style experimentation happening here, period!"

Gates' Previous Praise for India

"India acknowledges that some nutritional indicators are weaker than desired, and that kind of frankness and focus is very impressive."

This is the perils of speaking about developing countries where nuance can be misinterpreted as tone deaf or insensitive. Gates meant to be admiring of India’s innovation and spirit.

Gates’ comments have divided opinion but also shows how important India is in solving global problems.

Also Read: Kerala Tragedy: 5 MBBS Students Killed in Car-Bus Collision in Alappuzh