[ANI] - Press Information Bureau
New Delhi | November 25, 2004 4:55:59 PM IST
http://www.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=53396&cat=India

Aga Khan meets Natwar Singh

The spiritual leader of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, His Highness The Aga Khan, today called on External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh in the Capital.

During his five-day stay in New Delhi, Aga Khan will be meeting several other India leaders to discuss the broadening framework of activities being undertaken by the Aga Khan Development Network in the country.

Khan is scheduled to meet President APJ Abdul Kalam later in the day.Founded in 1967, the Aga Khan Foundation is the principal grant-making agency for social development within the Shia Ismaili Imamat. Aga Khan is its founder and chairman.

With a small staff, a host of co-operating agencies and thousands of volunteers, the Aga Khan Foundation reaches out to vulnerable populations on four continents, irrespective of their race, religion, political persuasion or gender. In 1999, it funded 120 projects in 13 countries and spent 88.9 million dollars.

Khan would also be inviting Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to preside over the award presentation ceremony of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture to be held in New Delhi on November 27. The Award was created in 1977 to recognise outstanding examples of contemporary design, promote the conservation of Islamic architecture's urban heritage and highlight the vital role it can play in the life of communities.

The award, which carries a prize money of 500,000 dollars, is the largest architectural award in the world and is presented every three years. (ANI)