Bill Gates reviews STD prevention projects in Pune

Pune, Nov 6 (UNI) Former Microsoft Chairman and world's richest man Bill Gates today visited the red light areas of the city and reviewed the projects run by his foundation for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases among the commercial sex workers.

Mr Gate also interacted with few sex workers in Budhwar peth area of the city.

Mr Gates, who had not demanded any official security during the visit, interacted for about 30 minutes with the women. However, he declined from speaking to mediapersons, who were waiting since the morning.

There was no official announcement about his visit.

Bill Gates Foundation started its operations in India in 2003 and committed over 200 million dollars, its largest amount in the campaign against HIV in any single country, for prevention of HIV in India.

The high ranking officials dealing with AIDS awareness programmes and officials with the Maharashtra State AIDS Control Society and scientists at National AIDS Research Institute were also unaware of the visit.

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