Memorial Resolution Honouring UN Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh

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News SAF-India Office, Delhi, India - 12th November 2013

The following resolution was adopted in the joint meeting of the Board of Trustees of Madanjeet Singh Foundation and SAF Annual Governing Council held on 12th November at South Asia Foundation-India Office at A-33, Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi 110057, which was attended by the following members:

Shri N. Ram, Mme France Marquet, Dr Kamal Hossain, Dr Syeda Hameed, Prof. Salima Hashmi, Dr Nishchal Nath Pandey, Dr Armin Dobler, Shri Navin B Chawla, Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, Mr Sangay Ngedup, Mr Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Prof.Veena Sikri, Mr. Omara Khan Massoudi, Mr. Jeevan Thiagarajah, Ms Nim Dem, Mr. Sangay Wangchuk, Mr. Hamidullah Arefi and Mr P K Prabhakaran

Memorial Resolution honouring UN Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh

Whereas UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh – diplomat, writer, artist, photographer, thinker, and philanthropist – was known for his lifetime commitment to the ideals of secularism, understanding, and peace in South Asia and,

Whereas his active participation as a young man in the freedom struggle informed his determination to help move the people of South Asia out of their deprivation, poverty, and ignorance, and

Whereas he was deeply committed to the idea of a tolerant, progressive, and just society, which is the unfinished chapter of the independence movement,

Whereas he worked tirelessly to promote grassroots development, the alleviation of poverty, and the elimination of communalism and,

Whereas he was deeply committed to the protection and cherishing of freedom of speech and expression,  

Whereas because of his early experiences, he was only too aware of the fragility of these hopes and ideals and recognized the urgent need to safeguard and uphold all that is good and worthwhile through people-to-people dialogue, lasting networks of friendship, goodwill, and understanding.

Whereas he devoted his time, energy, and personal fortune to the education of young people in South Asia in order to inculcate in them a deeper understanding of their shared histories and traditions, and their stake in a progressive, enlightened, and dynamic future and,

Whereas he believed in the promise and energy of youth, and in their potential to be agents of change and ambassadors of hope and light,

Whereas through his lifelong optimism, dedication, and passion for these and other causes he was an inspiration to everyone who knew him or came into contact with him,

Therefore be it Resolved that this meeting of the Governing Council of the South Asia Foundation held in New Delhi on November 12, 2013 recognizes and thanks UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh for his tireless striving, and for his unique gifts to the people of South Asia as a friend, mentor, and benefactor.