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New Delhi: Government is planning to launch a Vegetable Initiative to meet the demand of vegetables in all State capitals and urban centres with population greater than 10 lakh. Under this initiative, States will be assisted in addressing the entire value chain, right from the stage of pre-production to the consumers table through appropriate measures. State Governments have also been advised to leverage the components of existing schemes under Horticulture Mission for North East and Himalayan States (HMNEH) and National Horticulture Mission (NHM) to ensure steady supply of quality vegetables to urban areas.

Economic growth of Suriname is estimated to have risen from 3 percent in 2009 to 4.5 percent in 2010, driven by a rebound in prices of Suriname’s main commodity exports (gold, petroleum, and alumina), higher alumina production, and elevated government spending. The mission expects growth to pick up further in 2011, to about 5 percent, supported by continued buoyant commodity prices, and large capital investments in the mineral and energy sectors.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Government of Japan are to help Nepal overhaul its social protection programs, with a key goal of reducing the country's stubbornly high levels of child malnutrition.

HA NOI, VIET NAM - Viet Nam has sharply reduced poverty and improved living standards over the past two decades and progressed towards Middle Income Country status, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) fully supports its drive to create sustainable growth that benefits all, ADB President Haruhiko Kuroda said in Ha Noi today.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh did the United Progressive Alliance or himself no favours by holding an interaction with television journalists on February 16. He came through not as a statesman-like leader with a vision, but as a wily run-of-the-mill politician adept at deflecting criticism and blaming others. In fact, Dr Singh did what no Indian Prime Minister has done: plead helplessness in the face of corporate loot of public money, erosion of institutions, inflation, and failure to bring about inclusive growth.

The Muslim Brotherhood’s request to India to help conduct the Egyptian elections whenever they are held shows how the Arabs instinctively seek to replicate Indian democracy in their part of the world. Although nearly all the African and Asian countries followed a path different from that of India’s after shaking off the colonial powers, the success of Indian multicultural democracy has acted as a beacon to both their intelligentsia and the common man.

This was the 3rd budget of the UPA led government and it went on predicted lines excepting it threw up some pleasant surprises. Enhancing exemption limits for individual tax payers was one such and he took it up to rs 1,80,000 from rs 1,60,000. Yes, many would have wanted it to go up to a flat Rs 2, 00,000 at the entry level for direct taxation. And there were obviously there were several other expectations as well. If wishes were horse we could ride them. But one must appreciate the compulsions the Finance Minister had this year while presenting the budget.

New York: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon held talks on Libya with United States President Barack Obama in Washington, D.C., today, later stating that Muammar Al-Qadhafi’s regime had declared war on its own people and must be brought to account for possible crimes against humanity.

New York: On the eve of the 10th anniversary of the destruction of the giant Buddha statues of Bamiyan, in Afghanistan, by the then-ruling fundamentalist Islamic Taliban, the United Nations cultural chief today called on the world to protect the heritage of humanity from damage, turmoil and theft.

Executive Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted that the Maldivian economy is recovering well, fueled by a strong rebound in tourism. Inflation has continued to be driven mainly by international commodity prices but a tight monetary policy stance has helped contain pressures. Over the medium term, economic activity is likely to stabilize and grow in line with global developments. Despite these encouraging signs, the economy faces unsustainable fiscal and external positions. While recognizing the difficult political situation facing the authorities, Directors stressed the need for decisive and comprehensive adjustment measures to achieve macroeconomic stability, sustainable growth and poverty reduction. Efforts to strengthen the financial sector and improve the business climate will also be critical.