Speaking to reporters after participating in the tri-decennial celebrations of Rotary Bangalore Midtown on Tuesday, Rotary International President Rtn Wilfrid J Wilkinson regretted that India had the highest number of polio cases in the world.

Of the four countries in which polio is yet to be eradicated, Nigeria had brought down the number of polio cases from 800 in 2006 to 400 this year. 40 cases were reported from Pakistan and Afghanistan, while over 450 cases were reported in India, he added.

Announcing that the Bill Gates Foundation had come forward to donate 100 million US dollars to Rotary International, he said that his organisation raised another 100 million US dollars, matching grants.

Wilkinson said his organisation was banking on assurance from G-8 countries. “We are hoping that the leaders will take a decision during their meeting in January 2008,” he added.

Earlier, Rotary Bangalore Midtown president G Ravi Shankar deliberated on the community works carried out by the organisation, including adopting a government high school and running a charitable dispensary at Gottigere village in Bangalore Rural district.

He also announced the completion of 30 angioplasty procedures conducted at Jayadeva Hospital for the needy and said that Rotary Midtown contributed over 100,000 US dollars to the Rotary Foundation.