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ADB sets 600 m dollar tsunami fund

      New Delhi: Tsunami-hit nations will get some measure of relief with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) approving the setting up of a 600 miilion dollar multi-donor Asian Tsunami Fund to deliver prompt emergency funding. The Fund will pool and deliver grants for emergency technical assistance and investment projects to support reconstruction and rehabilitation in tsunami-hit nations. "We see this as a mechanism to attract funds from multiple donors for a structured, systematic and transparent flow of funds to tsunami-affected countries, while upholding the strongest standards of governance," Philip Erquiaga, Principal Director of ADB's Office of Cofinancing Operations, said in a statement from Manila. ADB will accept contributions to the Fund from bilateral, multilateral and individual sources. The money will be used exclusively for prompt restoration of services to the affected people. The sectors which would get assistance are -- public services such as water supply and sanitation, electricity, and communications; infrastructure such as roads, railways, and ports; health and education services; agriculture and fisheries; housing; restoring livelihoods; and containment of environmental damage.

Sting's Aussie gig nets $3.1 m for tsunami victims (Go To Top)

     London: Music icon Sting seems to be doing his bit for the Tsunami victims. According to Femalefirst, he has raised 3.1 million dollars for them by entertaining a crowd of 6,000 at Western Australia's Leeuwin Estate Winery with a two-hour concert. He will perform two more sell-out shows as part of the Leeuwin's annual concert series.

Mughal Gardens breaks 100,000 barrier (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: New Delhi's famous Mughal Gardens has cracked the 100,000 barrier for the first time. On Friday, sources at the Rashtrapati Bhavan confirmed that they have so far received 100,000 people from all walks of life this year at the Mughal Gardens since it opened on February 11. The occasion was made even more memorable with President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam caming out of his official residence to greet the visitors. It was the first time that the President had come out to meet the public after his recent shoulder injury. It may be recalled that the President slipped in the Herbal Garden of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and fractured his right shoulder. Located to the west of Rashtrapathi Bhavan, the elegant Mughal Gardens was designed by Sir Edwin Lutynes in the early part of the 20th century. Spread over 13 acres, the garden has been divided into three sections (rectangular, long and circular gardens) and is a blend of the formal Mughal style with the design of a British Garden. The garden with Mughal style canals, fountains and terraces at different levels with flowering shrubs and Western style lawns, hedges and flower beds is a visual treat especially during the blossoming season. The garden grows a variety of trees and flowers like roses, marigold, bougainvillea, sweet william, viscaria etc among many others. Every year, the gardens are thrown open to the public from the middle of February to the first week of March. Efforts are made to give the garden a fresh look every year.

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