Indian city pays tribute to Microsoft chairman for his contributions in fight against AIDS. November 14, 2002: 6:10 AM EST

HYDERABAD, India (Reuters) - An eight-foot tall condom greeted Microsoft chairman Bill Gates on Thursday during a visit to an Indian city, a tribute to mark his generosity in fighting AIDS.

The world's richest man smiled when he saw the giant air-filled condom in India's rising technology hub of Hyderabad, where his company has opened its first software development center outside the United States.

The billionaire inaugurated his four-day visit to India on Monday by announcing $100 million in contributions from his charity, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to spread awareness on AIDS.

India has four million people with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, making it the second largest number in the world after South Africa.

-- Anonymous, November 14, 2002