India test lab analogy lands Gates in hot water

His remark, meant to highlight country's global role, draws social media ire

- NANDINI SINGH

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates' recent comments during a podcast appearance with internet entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and podcaster Reid Hoffman have sparked controversy, particularly among Indian commentators, after the tech mogul described India as a "laboratory to try things".

Gates' remark, intended to underscore India's role in global development efforts, faced swift backlash on social media, where many criticised the choice of words as inappropriate and patronising.

During the podcast, Gates remarked, "India is an example of a country where there are plenty of things that are difficult - the health, nutrition, and education are improving, and they are stable enough and generating their own government revenue enough that it's very likely that, 20 years from now, people will be dramatically better off. And it's kind of a laboratory to try things that, when you prove them out in India, you can take to other places."