The World Bank has approved two projects worth USD 1.05 billion (over Rs 4,800 crore) for India, aimed at expanding the reach of primary schools and the quality of engineering education in the country.

Despite the Centre's reported reluctance, the Arunachal Pradesh government has asked it to continue seeking loans from the World Bank for projects in the border state in spite of objections from China.

Turning pickup trucks into ambulances and doors into stretchers, Haitians struggled frantically on Thursday to save those injured in this week's earthquake as desperately needed aid from around the world began arriving.

India on Thursday announced a cash assistance of USD one million to earthquake-devastated Haiti for immediate and emergency relief purposes.

World Bank President Robert Zoellick on Friday said India is likely to return to high growth of 8 to 9 per cent in a year or two, helped by strong fiscal and monetary actions to counter the global financial crisis.