World Bank President to visit India today

World Bank President Robert B Zoellick begins his 5-day India visit from today to assess the government requirements of multi-lateral funding for meeting its development goals.

"Shifts in the world economy could affect India's growth momentum and sharpen its development challenges. The Bank stands ready to continue to support India with its knowledge and financial resources to meet the challenges ahead," Zoellick said in a statement.

India is poised to grow at seven percent this year, buoyed by strong fundamentals and a high domestic savings rate, he said.

"India's needs are great, so I am here to explore with the Government of India innovative ways in which our joint financial capacities can be leveraged, especially in infrastructure financing, so that India can build the roads, highways, railway lines and power plants needed to propel growth," Zoellick said.

Zoellick, who has visited India four times during his five-year tenure as Bank President, will meet government leaders, including the Union Ministers of Finance, Home and Rural Development, and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission to better understand how the World Bank Group can be useful to India in meeting its development priorities.

India is the largest client for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and its private sector arm, International Financial Corporation.

The Group in its last fiscal (ending June 2011) made USD 6.33 billion available to India, including USD 3.46 billion from IBRD, USD 775 million from IFC, and USD 2.07 billion from its fund for the poorest, the International Development Association.

Oprah Winfrey feels enriched and blessed in India

The front lawns of Diggi Palace literally came alive on Day 3 of Jaipur Literary Festival 2012 when America’s most loved talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey made a grand entry in a jam packed house. Looking resplendent in an Indian ensemble, Oprah’s Namaste drew huge applause. In one of the most anticipated sessions of the literary festival, Oprah shared her views on life, work and of course, her maiden Indian visit.

Apparently, what struck Oprah the most in India was a sense of chaos underlined with calm of love. For Oprah, being in incredible India is like being in a video game. “There is calmness underneath. There is no rage, there is genuine respect for elders,” she said.

Speaking about her India visit, Oprah said, “I came to India with an open mind. In India, you are in so much diversity; humanity is expanded in a way. I feel expanded, opened and enriched in India.”

Oprah is the real success story of a girl who was born into poverty and overcame all hardships by sheer belief in self. A self-made woman, Oprah gave to society what she got and is touted as the most influential woman in America.

Well, it was literary fest and talking about her love for literature, Oprah called Toni Morrison her favourite living author. In fact, Oprah’s Book Club was her love for literature that found way on her television show.

Oprah prefers reading a good book rather than tweeting and believes in US President Barack Obama. She feels that it will be a good thing if he remains in office.

And yes, Oprah would love to visit India again!