Aus High Commissioner gives Rs 10 lakh to Magic Bus
Mumbai | Friday, Nov 20 2009 IST
 

Australian High Commissioner Peter Varghese today presented a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to non-governmental organisation 'Magic Bus' for provision of sports and personal development training to 240 underprivileged children in the city. The cheque was received by Magic Bus' Senior Sustainability Manager Meena Sriramane. In a statement here, Mr Varghese said, ''Australia is pleased to be able to assist these children reach their full potential by providing opportunities through sports. Australia and India share many sporting links at the elite level, and we are glad to be able to give something back at the grassroots level.'' The funding was provided under the Direct Aid Programme (DAP), administered by the Australian High Commission in New Delhi. The DAP funds grassroots development programmes in a range of areas, including education, health, income generation and the environment.

Australia had previously funded Magic Bus in 2007-08 to run sporting camps for underprivileged children under the Australian Sports Outreach Programme. During his recent visit to India, the Australian Prime Minister announced the Australian Sports Outreach Programme would be expanded to deliver more grass roots sports-based activities to India's youth, women and people with a disability, in collaboration with Indian partners. Funding for DAP was also increased in 2009-10 to 2,50,000 US dollar (approximately Rs one crore). Since 2001, when the programme was launched in its current form, DAP has distributed more than one million US dollar (approximately Rs four crore) to small-scale development activities.

-- (UNI) -- 20BY2.xml

 

Viewer's Comment Comments Not Available

More Stories

China sacks four officials in Tibet for endangering stability 

Ahsan confirms Gilani will appear before Pak SC on Feb 13 to face indictment over contempt charges 

Nine men jailed for London Stock Exchange bomb plot 

Marines posed for photo with Nazi SS symbol in Afghanistan 

Google manufacturing home entertainment device 

Obama administration urged to deploy tactics to kill Taliban leaders like al Qaeda 

Army chief withdraws case against Govt. in Supreme Court on age row (Update) 

How brain differentiates between left and right 

Printer Friendly Version