SAF-Nepal Introduction & News

Founder's Prologue

Nepal was under strict security surveillance as we landed at Kathmandu Airport in the last week of September 2000. Nevertheless, Prime Minister G. P. Koirala found time to receive us in spite of the latest Maoist attack and ensuing political crisis. Ambassador Bhek Bahadur Thapa, the first chairman of the Nepalese chapter of the SAF, had briefed the Prime Minister on the SAF’s activities, and the Prime Minister cited several examples of his promotion of regional cooperation through the SAARC programmes and promised full support to the SAF in its future activities.

The Secretary-General of the SAARC, Ambassador Nihal Rodrigo of Sri Lanka, also extended his full cooperation. He received us in his office, on the table of which lay a copy of my publication on Himalayan art.

During discussions, he suggested that the SAF commence its activities in smaller countries, such as Bhutan and the Maldives, whose governments need help, particularly in the field of information technology.

Ambassador Rodrigo expressed his concern that a lack of cooperation between the SAARC member states was holding back South Asia’s cultural, social and economic development, while its sister intergovernmental organizations – ASEAN, NAFTA and APEC – and the Indian Ocean Rim countries had moved closer toward regional cooperation.

He told us that the ball was in India and Pakistan’s court, and hoped that they would soon recognize the damage their confrontational policies were causing to themselves and other South Asian countries, and would turn to cooperative policies that would yield both economic and cultural rewards.

At a meeting arranged by Ambassador Rodrigo, I explained to the seven SAARC directors of their representative countries that the SAF was averse to re-treading the beaten path of funding meetings and conferences, as in the case of many NGOs. The SAF preferred to take an entirely different route to promote regional cooperation through education and other practical, job-creation projects that mobilize youth at grassroots levels.

Madanjeet Singh
SAF Founder

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SAF Nepal Chapter

SAF Chairperson: Dr Nishchal Pandey
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SAF Vice-Chairperson : Dr. Jan Sharma

Mr. Ramesh Timasina
SAF-Nepal, Secretary
Email:- Timasina@safmail.org

In the media Bangaluru, DHNS-News Paper - 28th March 2026

From Journalism to Governance: UMCSAJ Alumna Ms. Pratibha Rawal Takes Charge as Nepal’s Federal Affairs Minister

In a remarkable journey from media to national leadership, Pratibha Rawal, an alumna of Asian College of Journalism, has been appointed as Nepal’s Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration in the newly formed cabinet.

News Kathamndu, Nepal - 18th March 2026

Ms. Pratibha Rawal, SAF Alumna of UMCSAJ, Asian College of Journalism(2014 batch), Wins Seat in Nepal’s House of Representativ

In a proud and inspiring moment for the UENSCO Madanjeet Singh Institute of Excellence (UMCSAJ) , SAF alumna Ms. Pratibha Rawal from Nepal (Batch of 2014), an accomplished Diploma UMCSAJ, Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, has been elected to Nepal’s House of Representatives through the proportional representation (PR) system.

News Eawag, Switzerland. - 15th March 2026

SAF Alumni Batch of 2022 & 2024 Connect at Eawag: A Meeting that Reflects the Global Footprint of UMCSAWM

In a delightful moment reflecting the strength of the global SAF Alumni Network, Mr. Nur Mohammad from the University of Moratuwa recently met Mr. Sambuddha Bajracharya, UMCSAWM alumnus at Eawag....

News Kathamndu, Nepal - 4th March 2026

From Forestry Scholar to Climate Leader: SAF Alumnus Sunil Sapkota Selected for MBA in Future-Oriented Project in Finland

The South Asia Foundation (SAF) is proud to share the inspiring journey of its alumnus Mr. Sunil Sapkota from Nepal, who completed both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Forestry at the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Centre for South Asian Forestry Studies (UMCSAFS). His academic journey, supported by the SAF scholarship programme, has continued to shape a remarkable path of service, innovation, and leadership in environmental conservation and community development....

News Bandos Island, Malé - 27th November 2025

22nd Annual Governing Council Meeting of South Asia Foundation held on 27 November 2025, Bandos, Maldives

The Annual Governing Council Meeting of the South Asia Foundation (SAF) and Madanjeet Singh Foundation convened on November 27, 2025, Bandos, Maldvies. The meeting saw active Chairpersons from the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka of South Asia Foundation chapters.