Gates foundation to fund AIDS centre

''We have submitted a proposal to the foundation and we are expecting word from them soon. The foundation will spend about $100 million for the project,'' Ravi Sharma, president of Global AIDS Awareness Oraganisation (GAAO) which is setting up the care centre, said at a press conference.     

The centre, to have 100 patients initially, would provide them all medical attention, besides facilities like yoga and entertainment, he said, adding that     

Work for the project was expected to begin in the next six months, he said, adding that GAAO, an affilliate of the International AIDS Society, would also set up a similar care centre at Jalandhar, Punjab.     

Sharma said GAAO has taken up an awareness rally on AIDS from Jalandhar to Delhi, via Kolkata. It began from May 20 and would reach Delhi by the end of this month.     

''Our aim was to address the vulnerable people who have no awareness about the killer disease. During the rally we distributed thousands of information pamphlets and condoms to various vulnerable groups,'' Sharma said, adding that on the way, participants at the rally also interacted with various non-profits working with AIDS patients.     

In this metropolis, the GAAO team wanted to meet Durbar Mahila Swamannaya Samity, an NGO working with sex workers at Sonagachhi, but were denied permission by the Durbar Mahila Swamannaya Samity, an NGO working with them, Sharma said.