I have a fundamental issue with the way in which the Gates foundation gets its work done. Sure, there may actually be impact achieved in some of its investments, but in most others, the team does not even know the name of the founders they have invested in. I've interacted with Associates from the Foundation based in London who know the broad strokes of investments they've made in India, for example, but the actual companies, they have no idea. Their process has been to spray and pray. No active involvement, no process optimisation, no impact metric monitoring etc.
Further, the manner in which the foundation functions in India is what makes me cringe when I hear their name. They have unrestricted access to members of parliament in India, they promote Indian government programs e.g. Ayushman Bharat (Health insurance for 500 mn Indians), Aadhaar (digital unique number for all Indians) and they ensure policy changes to suit their funding programs. Their close linkage with the Indian government to further their propoganda is what makes me cringe. Sure enough, do implement some programs its commonplace to liase with Governments, but where's the ethics in that? Where do you draw the line to limit promotions for government projects that fake numbers and are not really having any impact on the ground?
This Annual Letter is just another propaganda piece, as stated by others here.
Further, the manner in which the foundation functions in India is what makes me cringe when I hear their name. They have unrestricted access to members of parliament in India, they promote Indian government programs e.g. Ayushman Bharat (Health insurance for 500 mn Indians), Aadhaar (digital unique number for all Indians) and they ensure policy changes to suit their funding programs. Their close linkage with the Indian government to further their propoganda is what makes me cringe. Sure enough, do implement some programs its commonplace to liase with Governments, but where's the ethics in that? Where do you draw the line to limit promotions for government projects that fake numbers and are not really having any impact on the ground?
This Annual Letter is just another propaganda piece, as stated by others here.