250 books handed over to SAARC Secretariat library

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The Hindu, Delhi - 21st March 2007

Donated by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh.

KATHMANDU: Altogether 250 books donated by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh on behalf of the South Asia Foundation (SAF) were handed over to the SAARC Secretariat library at a function held at the Secretariat, Kathmandu.

Dr. Rita Thapa

Secretary-General Chenkyab Dorji, Chairperson of SAF-Nepal Dr. Rita Thapa and SAF-Nepal Secretary Mr. Nishchal Pandey.

  

Chairperson of SAF-Nepal Rita Thapa handed over the books on behalf of Mr. Singh to SAARC Secretary-General Chenkyab Dorji. The books are on South Asian affairs, SAARC, regional cooperation, economy, politics, security, education and culture, and relevant to each of the themes of the various technical committeed under the SAARC.

In keeping with the desire of the Secretary-General, there are also country-specific books en Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Afghanistan. The 1942 edition of the "Discovery of India" by Jawaharlal Nehru has also been given to the library.

Mr. Dorji thanked Mr. Singh for his generous contribution to enrich the library and hoped that researchers, scholars and students would immensely benefit from this rich collection.

Dr. Rita Thapa highlighted the work done by SAF to promote regional cooperation and peace through education, mutual understanding, spread of knowledge and creative friendship.

Secretary of the SAF-Nepal chapter Nishchal N. Pandey gave detailed information on the various titles, including encyclopaedia sets, memoirs, and other volumes that were handed over to the library.

All Directors representing each of the SAARC memberstates were present.

The SAF was recognised as a regional apex body of the SAARC at the Dhaka summit last year. The SAF has instituted a large number of scholarships for talented young students across South Asia under a group scholarship scheme.