Relief aid flowing into Nepal, rebuilding could exceed Rs 1 trillion

The country needs around Rs 1 trillion to reconstruct the damaged infrastructure in the Saturday's devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
The cost to rebuild Nepal after its most devastating earthquake, in eight decades, would exceed Rs 1 trillion ($10 billion) and take years, according to the finance minister Dr Ram Sharan Mahat. The reconstruction estimate is equivalent to around half of Nepal's GDP that stands at Rs 2 trillion ($20 billion).
According to the US Geology survey, the earthquake has damaged around Rs 1 trillion worth infrastructure including world heritage sites and historic monuments, roads, and buildings. "Due to the mountainous geography, infrastructure damage, collapsed bridges and damaged roads, access to many of the affected areas is reported to be extremely limited," according to the UN.
Scared to sleep inside due to fear that cracked buildings might crumble in another aftershock, Kathmanduites have been living as refugee out in the open. Kathmandu valley has turned into a refugee camp, and they it is in dire need of tents, water supply and medicines, before it is too late to control outbreak of cholera. The situation is not different outside the valley too.
Likewise, the mountainenous region is out of reach also due to geographical difficulty. The UN has also estimated that about one third of the country's population of 28 million have been affected due to the quake with about 1.4 million in need of food assistance.
The government with its limited resources is doing its best to provide relief, Mahat said thanking the development partners for their immediate relief response.
The friendly nations and development partners have committed around Rs 8 billion grant as an immediate relief package, apart from medicines, tents, water, food stuff and relief staff. However, the government that is struggling hard to rescue people trapped more than 72 hours after the earthquake, is waiting for the cash to fund the rescue work.
The International aid organisations and foreign governments are scrambling to get much-needed relief to Nepal.
The United States, India, Israel, Pakistan and other governments have sent emergency supplies and personnel such as doctors to Nepal. The Red Cross has 1,500 volunteers and 300 staff on the ground providing basic first-aid and other support.
On Monday, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) issued an appeal to raise 33.5 million Swiss francs ($35.2 million) to provide emergency assistance. "We call on all partners and donors to urgently and generously support our action," said IFRC secretary general Elhadj As Sy.
The country needs some $13 billion to $18 billion investment to fill the infrastructure gap and also to help country graduate from the current Least Development Country (LDC) status to development country status by 2022. With the current damage of estimated $10 billion, the country now needs to invest around $28 billion in infrastructure that could propel sustainable economic growth.
Though the country has witnessed a political stability, the economy has been slowing recently. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB) have recently estimated the economy to grow at 4.6 per cent – down from 5.2 per cent a year before – and down from the government's target of six per cent, due to mainly poor monsoon. But the damage of the Saturday's devastating earthquake will pull the economic growth further down.
Though for the time being many charities, government agencies and nonprofits are sending essential aid and medical assistance for the rescue and recovery efforts.

Here are some of the countries and organisations that have announced cash contribution:
United Nations: The office for the coordination of humanitarian affairs is releasing $15 million from the U.N.'s emergency relief fund. It expects to issue an appeal for donations from member states later this week.
United States: Washington has committed a total of $10 million for response and recovery efforts, according to US secretary of State John Kerry.
Japan: Announced a 1 billion yen ($8.4 million) grant and sent rescue personnel.
United Kingdom: Department for International Development (DfID) announced a £5 million ($7.6 million) aid package on Sunday; £3 million will be used immediately; £2 million will be given to the British Red Cross.
Canada: Donating 5 million Canadian dollars ($4.1 million) to aid organisations to help with life-saving efforts.
Norway: Donated 30 million Norwegian kroner ($3.9 million) for relief efforts.
Australia: Donated 5 million Australian dollars ($3.9 million) and sent experts.
European Commission: Announced €3 million ($3.3 million) in immediate aid money for Nepal on Sunday.
China: Ministry of Commerce has reportedly given 20 million yuan ($3.2 million) in humanitarian aid, according to the Chinese newspaper, China Daily.
Germany: Berlin has pledged €2.5 million ($2.7 million) and is sending supplies.
Singapore: Donated 100,000 Singapore dollars ($75,000) to the Singapore Red Cross for aid. Singapore Red Cross agency is appealing for more donations. Has already begun disbursing 50,000 Singapore dollars worth of emergency supplies.
Asian Development Bank: The group of 48 countries in Asia and the Pacific are providing a $3 million grant.
USAID: $1 million in emergency financial support.
AmeriCares: The group has raised $750,000 to support relief efforts in Nepal.
American Red Cross: $300,000 initial contribution.
Save the Children: £300,000 ($454,000) in emergency aid. Expects to eventually send millions.
Christian Aid: Immediately sent £50,000 ($76,000) in aid on Saturday. Has raised £124,000 ($188,000) from donations. Expects to raise over £1 million for this urgent appeal.
Oxfam: The British aid agency said online donations totaled £500,000 in Great Britain and $1 million in the United States.
Companies
Coca-Cola: The beverage giant said it is working to provide bottled water to survivors as soon as possible.
Pepsi: Is also donating bottled water and food.
Kellogg: The food company said it donated $200,000 to the World Food Programme (WFP) that is earmarked for Nepal.
Toyota: Making a combined donation of 10 million yen, or about $84,000.
Facebook: The social network has developed a new tool called Safety Check. The simple tool sends messages to people who are in Nepal, urging them to click a button to let their Facebook friends know they're okay.
Google: The search engine has revived its "Person Finder" tool this weekend. The tool helps people search for and post information about missing friends and family in the disaster zone. As of Monday morning, the site hosted 5,600 entries.
Microsoft: Has pledged $1 million in cash and in-kind donations. It is also offering free Skype calls to and from Nepal.
UPS: Pledged $200,000 to various charities working in Nepal.
Communications companies: T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, Vodafone Time Warner Cable and others have waived fees for calls in Nepal.
Payment providers: Apple, PayPal, Square Cash are waiving fees and taking other steps to facilitate donations.

Microsoft confirms Nadella as new chief executive

Microsoft has confirmed Satya Nadella, a 22-year veteran of the software giant, as its new chief executive officer. The head of Microsoft's Cloud and Enterprise Group joins the board and replaces chief executive Steve Ballmer with immediate effect. Ballmer annoucned last August that he would step down once a successor was found.

Microsoft also announced that founder Bill Gates will step down as chairman and assume the new role of 'Founder and Technology Advisor', devoting more time to the company and supporting Nadella in shaping technology and product direction. John Thompson, lead independent director on the board, will become the new chairman.

Nadella joined the company in 1992 and previously served as head of Microsoft's Server and Tools division. Gates said, 'Satya is a proven leader with hard-core engineering skills, business vision and the ability to bring people together.'

Android grows smartphone market share to 81 per cent

Google's Android operating system grew its share of the smartphone market to 81 per cent in the third quarter, equal to 211.6 million phones shipped, according to estimates from International Data Corporation (IDC) – an American market research, analysis and advisory firm specialising in information technology and telecommunications.

Samsung accounted for just under half the Android shipments, it said, adding that Android increased its share from 74.9 per cent a year earlier, while Apple's iOS fell to 12.9 per cent from 14.4 over the same period. "Microsoft's Windows showed the strongest growth, increasing its share from two per cent in third quarter of 2012 to 3.6 per cent this year, whereas BlackBerry fell over the same period to 1.7 per cent from 4.1 per cent."

The IDC attributed the growth in Android and Microsoft to the companies' pricing strategies, offering a full range of devices for the low end of the mass market.
The market researcher estimated that the average selling price for a smartphone was down by 12.5 per cent in the third quarter to $317. "It comes despite the growing number of large-screen phones, which sell for a notably higher average price of $443," the IDC said, estimating that phablets of at least five inches already accounted for 21 per cent of the smartphone market in the third quarter. "Apple's lack of a large screen device may result in a further erosion of its market share in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Nokia to sell mobile phone business to Microsoft

Microsoft has agreed to acquire the mobile phone business of Nokia for Euro3.79 billion.

In addition, it will pay Euro1.65 billion to license Nokia's patents, bringing the total value of the deal to Euro5.44 billion in cash.
The takeover follows Nokia's decision in early 2011 to adopt Microsoft's Windows software for its smartphones.
Microsoft said the takeover will allow it to accelerate the growth in Windows and expand its share of the mobile phone market, through faster innovation, increased synergies, and unified branding and marketing. It will continue to license Windows Phone to third parties as well. 

Pending approval by Nokia's shareholders and regulators, the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2014. Microsoft will finance the takeover from its existing cash.
The acquisition includes all of Nokia's Devices and Services business, including the Mobile Phones and Smart Devices business units and their design teams, production facilities, sales and marketing activities, and related support functions.
Approximately 32,000 employees are expected to transfer to Microsoft, including 4,700 people in Finland and 18,300 employees directly involved in manufacturing products worldwide. The operations generate around Euro14.9 billion in revenues, or almost 50 per cent of Nokia's sales for 2012.
Microsoft will take over Nokia's long-term patent licensing agreement with Qualcomm, as well as other licensing agreements. Microsoft also will acquire the Lumia brand associated with Windows smartphones, as well as the Asha brand for low-end smart devices.
Nokia will retain ownership of the Nokia name and licence it to Microsoft, although Microsoft said it aims to move to a unified branding as soon as possible. Nokia will not be allowed to use its own name on mobile devices until 2016 at the earliest. 

Nokia also holds on to its patent portfolio, to which Microsoft receives a 10-year non-exclusive licence and an option for a licence in perpetuity. Microsoft will grant Nokia rights to use Microsoft patents in its Here location services, and Microsoft will become a strategic licensee of the Here platform and will separately pay Nokia for a four-year licence. 

Nokia chief executive Stephen Elop and top executives Jo Harlow, Juha Putkiranta, Timo Toikkanen and Chris Weber will move to Microsoft as part of the deal, taking up similar roles there. Elop will become head of Microsoft's Devices and Studios business, which also includes the Xbox and Surface tablet.
Elop will step down from Nokia's board and head the mobile phone business until the transaction is completed, while Nokia's chairman Risto Siilasmaa takes over as interim chief executive.
The sale leaves Nokia with network equipment maker NSN, the Here activities and its patent portfolio. The company's board plans a strategic review before completing the Microsoft transaction to chart Nokia's course going forward. It pledged to return the company to an investment-grade debt rating and distribute any excess cash after the deal to shareholders.
In addition to boosting its earnings, the sale of the loss-making mobile phone business will result in a one-time gain of Euro3.2 billion before tax.

As part of the deal, Microsoft will provide Nokia Euro1.5 billion in financing, as three Euro500 million tranches of convertible notes. If Nokia decides to draw down on this option, it would be paid back from the proceeds of the deal upon closing. 

As part of its investment in Finland, Microsoft also announced it will build a new data centre there to support consumer customers in Europe. Construction and operations of the centre will require an investment of over $250 million in the coming years.

YUWA from Nepal bags regional award

YUWA from Nepal – along with three innovative Youth Solutions – bagged regional award at the Regional Grant Competition jointly organised by The World Bank, Microsoft and Sarvodaya-Fusion.
The competition ‘Youth Solutions! Technology for Skills and Employment’ was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka today with youth led NGOs from four nations – Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka participating.

YUWA from Nepal, Shilpa Sayura Foundation from Sri Lanka, YPSA from Bangladesh, Live & Learn Environmental Education from the Maldives were the winners of the competition that sought ideas from youth on how to use innovative and creative methods to promote Information Technology (IT) skills amongst youth, helping them to secure gainful employment.

Eight NGOs – two from each country – presented their shortlisted projects with the aim of being selected for the grant programme.  A total of 80 project proposals were submitted, all  based on using ICT to address present day challenges faced by youth, such as lack of skills development and unemployment.

Each winning project received a grant between $15,000 and $20,000 to carry out a youth-led project for one year in duration, with the possibility of being scaled up via other public or private sector initiatives.

The high profile panel of judges comprised of senior communications officer for World Bank, South Asia Gabriela Aguilar; country manager of Microsoft Sri Lanka Sriyan de Silva Wijeyeratne; managing director Lafarge Mahaweli Cement Anurag Kak; GM of Avery Dennison Lanka Ms Moji Akingbade and Asia vice president of Insights, Innovation & Social at MSLGROUP Gaurav Mishra.

Innovation and creativity of methods to promote Information Technology (IT) skills amongst youth helping them secure gainful employment, capacity to demonstrate solutions to challenges faced by youth and encouraging innovation, learning and sharing were taken into consideration when assessing project proposals.

YUWA, a Youth-led organisation with a mission mandate of empowering Nepali Youth for gainful employment presented a winning project which would use comprehensive e-learning methodology to equip youth with relevant ICT skills to improve employability. It will use blended technology organised in a comprehensive Learning Management System including new media, such as YouTube and podcasts to educate youth.
The project proposal submitted by Sri Lanka’s Shilpa Sayura Foundation, an organisation aimed at empowering youth through ICT skills was to empower youth to produce 10 high impact films on current social issues. The project ‘Digital Rainbow’ will train at least 100 youth to become film makers, a still developing industry in the country, which will offer great potential for interested youth.
Young Power In Social Action (YPSA), an organisation dedicated to support and empower socially marginalized groups in Bangladesh, presented a proposal titled “Empowering Youth with Disabilities through market driven ICT skills.  It aimed at supporting the smooth transition to work of people with disabilities through the use of ICT training, internships on ICT, relevant job search support and producing Digital Accessible Information System (DAISY) products.

The winner from Maldives was Live & Learn Environmental Education, an organization aimed at reducing poverty and working towards sustainable development with strong partnerships.  Their project aims to improve production and marketing of craft through an online portal. Youth will be engaged in training that would equip them with the ICT skills to make profitable employment through linking the segregated handicraft industry with the market.

Replication of useful ideas throughout the region, improving public awareness on innovation and investment in ICT education for gainful employment, developing sustainable youth partnership for development impact and effectiveness, employment for youth and using ICT as a vehicle for promoting development objectives were important factors in the selection criteria.

“This grant programme conducted by The World Bank and Microsoft is an exciting opportunity to find and fund new solutions to youth unemployment in this region,” Senior communications officer for World Bank, South Asia Gabriela Aguilar said, adding that South Asia is home to a large youth population, with over 1 million entering the labour force every month.

According to The World Bank, South Asia created nearly 800,000 jobs per month between 2000 and 2010. However, despite growth, the region is still home to the largest number of the world’s poor - half a billion people. Since labor is the primary asset of the poor, having more and better jobs is the key employment challenge facing the region.

“We are confident that the solutions to many of the challenges facing the youth can come from within themselves, and we exceeded our expectations with the outcome,” Aguilar added.

Manager of Community Affairs of Microsoft Sri Lanka Janakie Karunarathne, speaking on the occasion said that Microsoft is proud to have collaborated with the World Bank in this effort to capture the youthful enthusiasm and innovative aspirations of four countries.  “The youth NGOs chosen today from each respective country would work towards alleviating the challenges, such as lack of skills and unemployment in their individual countries through the use of Information and Communication Technology,” she said, extending her gratitude to Sarvodaya-Fusion, the ICT for Development arm of Sarvodaya, the largest local Non-Governmental Organisation operating in Sri Lanka, for the support they received in implementing the programme adding that Microsoft shares a great rapport with both World Bank and Sarvodaya.