SAF News

SAF Sri Lanka Advisory Board Meeting

Chaired by Mme Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumratunga and attended by eminent personalities.

Called on H.E. Mr. Mohamed Nasheed, President of the Maldives

During a meeting lasting about an hour, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh traced the origin and achievements of South Asia Foundation (SAF) since it was established in 2000.

Attended the SAF advisory board meeting of Maldives Chapter

Chaired by Mr. Ibrahim Hussein Zaki, the main agenda of the meeting was to formulate the proposal to establish a SAF Institute of Institute of the Environment and Global Warming for the approval of President Nasheed.

Called on Chief Justice Abdullah Saeed

Called on Chief Justice Abdullah Saeed, of the Maldives Supreme Court and discuss the procedure of selection of lawyers and law teachers to be trained at the South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS), Dhaka,Bangladesh, set up by SAF and guided by Dr Kamal Hossain.

Bridging the chasm: the SAF peace festival

Visit to the Maldives

Founder of South Asia Foundation and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, accompanied by Mme France Marquet, a SAF Trustee, visited the Maldives, Sri Lanka and India from 11 to 24 October 2009. In India, Madanjeet Singh inaugurated the SAF Peace Festival at Preet Nagar.

SAF Maldives sector Secretariat change

Inauguration Ceremony of South Asia Foundation Peace Festival held during 10-23 October, 2009

Inauguration ceremony of South Asia Foundation Peace festival held in Preet Nagar and Amritsar, Punjab at Gurbaksh Singh Nanak Singh Auditorium from 10-23 October, 2009

SAF Afghanistan Annual Report for 2009

Madanjeet Singh Cultural Heritage Training Institute held its 2nd three month course starting from 5th of May 2009 and continued to the 6th of August 2009. The subjects taught in the 2nd session were: Fundamentals of Archeology, History of Afghanistan, History of Civilization, Making inventory list for the historical relics, Description of the international conventions, History of Art, History of religions and Description of cultural heritage preservation law.

UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence Jury Meeting

The meeting will take place in Room XIV on minus 2 floor at the UNESCO Bonvin building -1, rue Miollis, 75015 Paris.

Guarantee health

I am neither a political commentator nor a human rights activist; but as a lifelong advocate of health for all, I am seriously concerned to read The Kathmandu Post’s report of Sept. 9 on the preliminary draft submitted by the Fundamental Rights Committee of the Constituent Assembly (CA).

The economic dimension of national security

The suggestions made by two former Foreign Secretaries, Shyam Saran and Shiv Shankar Menon, that India should initiate a discussion on a collective security arrangement between the major powers whose bulk of energy and trade flows through the Indian Ocean, is laudable.

The economic dimension of national security

The suggestions made by two former Foreign Secretaries, Shyam Saran and Shiv Shankar Menon, that India should initiate a discussion on a collective security arrangement between the major powers whose bulk of energy and trade flows through the Indian Ocean, is laudable.

Press release from the Institute of Kashmir Studies, Srinagar

The Institute of Kashmir Studies, an organ of South Asia Foundation (SAF), in collaboration with the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies Leh, ladakh organised a 3-day National Seminar.

Neeraj Chandra Roy

I am a recepient of SAF Madanjeet Singh scholarship from Nepal for one year post graduate course at the Asian College of Journalism during 2008 - 2009.

Mehr Javed

Sajana Joshi

Maimoona

Ahmed Azmee

My work is about romance, sex, marriage, all the passions a young, newly married man might feel.

Rony James Martin

I enjoy the freedom of using just my hands and a few tools to make art.

Chimi Lhamo

I want to see every child grow to full potential. I want to create a level playing field for all children - poor and rich alike. ln Pakistan nearly 45% of our 150 million people are under the age of 15.

Farid Ahmed Khurrami - 4th year Sculpture Department

When I first arrived here Lahore Pakistan as a SAARC student from Afghanistan in 2004 fall I learnt a lot, in a lot, and now I am hopefully graduating this year.

What's Hot (Taslima Nasreen)

2009 edition of the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-violence

Times news network

Exiled Bangladeshi author Taslima Nasreen who is currently in the national capital but will be leaving for a teaching assignment to a US university shortly, is disillusioned about her return to Bangladesh or India permanently in the near future.

Nomination of Prof. N.K. Jha , Director, Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asian Regional Co-operation, Pondicherry University

The M.A. (South Asian Studies) program has started with 20 students, following the names of 12 SAARC students who joined the Madanjeet Singh Centre (MISARC).

Kashmiriyat goes to RUSI, London

SAF Nepal Secretary, Mr Nischal Pandey (right) handing over of the 'Kashmiriyat'to Dr. Paul Moorcraft

The list of SAF scholars nominated to study in the Class of 2010 of the ACJ

The UNESCO Director-General has designated Dr. Kamal Hossain, as a jury member of UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize

The UNESCO Director-General Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura has designated Dr. Kamal Hossain, Chairman, SAF-Bangladesh chapter, as a jury member of UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence.

'The Sasia Story' by Maheen Senanayake from Sri Lanka

All I can say right now is Thank you sir. Thank you for your generocity. I would like to share my initial proposal which I am sure will require refinement in consultation with the Vice Chancellor of Pondicherry university. I look forward to your next book and hope I can remain in touch with you.

Two Bangladeshi young journalists have been awarded the SAF-Madanjeet Singh scholarship

Two Bangladeshi young journalists have been awarded the SAF-Madanjeet Singh scholarship for the one-year postgraduate course on New Media Stream at the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) in Chennai, India.

French National day - 14 July 2009

Participation of SAF Nepal secretary Mr Nischal Pandey to the international conference, Washington D.C.

Nominations for the Sovereign Art Prize and the Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale

I am happy to report that Raju from Nepal has been nominated for the Sovereign Art Prize this year [Hong Kong] and Sajana [also from Nepal] work has been selected for the Fukuoka Asian Art Triennale.

MoU between 'SAF' and the University of Pondicherry for the establishment of MISARC

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pondicherry University and the South Asia Foundation (“SAF”), for the establishment of Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asia Regional Cooperation (MISARC) at Pondicherry University.

Graduating Class 2008, Lahore

UMISARC 1st Batch Scholars with Prof J A K Tareen

The M.A. (South Asian Studies) program has started with 20 students, following the names of 12 SAARC Students who joined the Madanjeet Singh Centre (MISARC) along with their group picture, surrounding Prof. Tareen, Vice Chancellor and the Academia M.A. South Asian Studies.

Presentation of the Nepali version of the 'SASIA Story' by SAF-Nepal Chairperson Dr. Rita Thapa

Chairman of Nepal's Constituent Assembly (CA) and Speaker of the Interim Parliament Subash C. Nemwang received on April 29th from Chairperson of SAF-Nepal Dr. Rita Thapa the Nepali version of the 'SASIA Story' (SASIA Ko Katha)

Launch of a 15 month music training for children of victims of conflict in Kathmandu

On the happy occasion of the birthday of SAF Founder Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, SAF-Nepal Chairperson Dr. Rita Thapa launched a 15 month music training for children of victims of conflict in Kathmandu on April 16, 2009.

SAF India chapter's new Director of Operations

Letter of appreciation from a Madanjeet Singh group scholarship student from Pakistan

As you must know, I am one of the Pakistani candidates to have received the Madanjeet Singh scholarship at Beaconhouse National University in 2003, till my graduation in 2007.

Jaipur Literature Festival, 21-25 January 2009

The DSC Jaipur Literature Festival, now in its third year, has grown to be one of the largest writer’s festivals in Asia. Over one hundred and sixty seven authors and various other artists attended the Festival held at the Diggi Palace, Jaipur from the 21st till the 25th of January 2009.

Festival of Kabir, Feb 27 - March 1st, 2009, Bengaluru, India

Greetings from the Kabir Project team in Bangalore. I am writing to report to you the successful completion of the Festival of Kabir in Bengaluru between Feb 23 - Mar 1, in which 10 Kabir artists of folk, classical and Sufi traditions from India and Pakistan performed to packed audiences at the 1300-seater Sophia High School auditorium and a range of satellite locations around the city of Bengaluru.

Launching of the book 'Kashmiriyat' narrated by Madanjeet Singh
under the patronage of UNESCO Cultural Sector, Paris.

SAF-India Cultural Committee meeting to prepare a South Asian Theatre Festival, New Delhi

In the wake of terrorist attack in Mumbai, it was proposed by a number of theatrical groups, both in India and Pakistan, to jointly hold a number of theatre festivals in East Punjab.

Launching of the book 'Kashmiriyat', narrated By Madanjeet Singh UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
and founder of SAF

Award of Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa)
to Shri Madanjeet Singh, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador & Founder SAF

Pondicherry University visit to the Madanjeet Singh scholarships students of South Asian studies

Award of Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa)
to Shri Madanjeet Singh, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador & Founder SAF

The Governing Board of South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS)
Dakha, Bangladesh

The dialogue on "National and Regional Institutions for the Protection of Human Rights: Challenges for Bangladesh" organized in collaboration with the French Embassy about which I have written to you earlier was quite successful.

The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Institute for Afghanistan's Cultural Heritage

The Madanjeet Singh Institute for Cultural Heritage Preservation of Kabul held its 1st four month training course in 2008 that started on Sep 23, 2008 and finished on Jan 12, 2009.

SAF-Nepal Chairperson at the silver jubilee function of the Jiri Technical School

SAF-Nepal has received a letter of appreciation from the Jiri Technical School (JTS) at a function held on March 4, 2009 to mark the JTS's silver jubilee anniversary in Jiri of Dolakha district of Nepal.

3rd batch of Madanjeet Singh ANM scholarship fund handed over to CTEVT

SAF-Nepal Chairperson Dr. Rita Thapa on Feb. 22, 2009 handed over the budget to Dr. Devi Prasad Ghimire, Vice-Chairman of the CTEVT for the implementation of 40 SAF-Madanjeet Singh scholarships to Jiri Technical School at a function held in Kathmandu.

A student in the Art Education departement in BNU Lahore

SAF-Nepal Chairperson Dr. Rita Thapa on Jan. 21, 2009 handed over a cheque

SAF-Nepal Chairperson Dr. Rita Thapa on Jan. 21, 2009 handed over a cheque to the Chairperson of Himalayan Health and Education (HHE) Mr. Ngima Tendup Sherpa.

Equip commission with power to deal with HR violations
Speakers tell dialogue

The newly formed National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) would be a 'toothless body' unless it is equipped with 'enforcement mechanism' said the speakers at a dialogue yesterday.

BNU Third Convocation, testimony

As we go to our third Convocation tomorrow, I am thinking about what the scholarships from you have meant.I am forwarding you the message I received today from Rony James Martin, who graduated this year.

A dialogue on National and Regional Institutions for the Protection of Human Rights:
Challenge for Bangladesh

On 13th October 2008, The South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (SAILS) Chaired by Dr Kamal Hossain, was launched under the auspices of South Asia Foundation (SAF).

The first training courses at The Madanjeet Singh-UNESCO Institute for Afghanistan's Cultural Heritage started

The Madanjeet Singh-UNESCO for Afghanistan Cultural Heritage Institute, started its training courses 13 September, 2008 and its duration is for four months.

A new secretary to the board of SAF Bangladesh chapter

A new Secretary to South Asia Foundation Bangladesh Chapter has been appointed starting 1st October 2008 in the person of: Mr Obaidullah Al Zakir, a Public Relations, Media and Communication Professional.

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh reiterated the SAF offer to fund group scholarships to students selected by SAU

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh reiterated the SAF offer, he had made earlier to Foreign Secretary, Mr Shivshankar Menon, to fund group scholarships to students selected by South Asia University (SAU).

Foster greater regional cooperation thru' friendship: CA, Bangladesh

Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday called on the Rover Scouts of Saarc countries to take every opportunity of making new friends in their assembly to foster greater regional cooperation in attaining shared prosperity.

South Asia has great development potential

President Iajuddin Ahmed yesterday said South Asia has a great development potential in terms of its diverse cultural heritage and human resources as one-fourth of the world population live in this region.

South Asian Scout Forum to be formed

Chief Scout Commissioners of Saarc countries have reached an agreement to form a South Asian Scout Forum to strengthen coordination among Scouts in the region.

New regional institute for legal, human rights launched

A NEW regional legal and human rights organisation named South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS) was launched in Dhaka to promote the sharing of experiences on legal and human rights affairs.

South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies launched

The South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS) was launched yesterday with a view to promoting higher legal education and ensuring human rights and the rule of law in the region.

Launching of the South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS)

South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS) was launched in Dhaka to promote the sharing of experiences on legal and human rights affairs.

The newly elected Prime Minister of Nepal is presented by Mr Nishchal Pandey, 'The Sasia Story'

The newly elected Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' (Left in the Photo) is presented by Mr Nishchal Pandey, Secretary of the Advisory board of SAF Nepal chapter, "The Sasia Story".

The 6th SAF-Scout Friendship Camp begins today

The sixth South Asian Foundation (SAF) Scout Friendship Camp will begin at Mouchak in Gazipur today, says a press release.

The sixth SAF-Scout Friendship Camp - 12th-18th October 2008, Bangladesh