SAF News

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

Honourable Secretaries of the SAF Chapters, Greetings!

350 Rover scouts, leaders to join 6th SAF Scout Camp

Kashmiriyat: the latest SAF publication on the inauguration of the Institute of Kashmir Studies
Srinagar, 25-27 May 2008.

On 26 May 2008, the Institute of Kashmir Studies was inaugurated in Srinagar, Kashmir, by H.E. Shrimati Pratibha Patil, President of India, to promote the traditional Bhakti-Sufi-Rishi pluralistic culture of Kashmiriyat.

The 6th SAF Scout Friendship Camp will be held from 12th - 18th October 2008 in Bangladesh

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the 'SAF', New Delhi, and the Pondicherry University, Puducherry

This Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the South Asia Foundation-India, a secular, non-profit and non-political organization located at A-33 Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi, herein after referred to as “SAF”, on the one part, and the Pondicherry University, a central University created by an Act of Parliament, located at Kalapet, Puducherry, herein after referred to as “University”, on the second part (hereinafter referred to as “parties”).

Ehsan Ul Haq

In my work I am dealing with the issue of energy by this I mean energy as power, power as authority, authority as control, control as rule, and rule as command.

Moira Plair

My work orbits different aspects of the medical profession. In my work, I seek to show the vital importance of the medical and pharmaceutical industries in our lives.

Maria Khan

My thesis project is comprised of surface designs for the ceremonial qanaats, or tents.

Vidha Saumya

Lahore has been the city of my residence and study for the past 9 months. The city is special to me.

Barun Gurung

The most important thing to keep in mind is this: the design must work well.

New Secretary for SAF Bhutan chapter

A generous contribution by SAF-Nepal Chairperson Dr. Rita Thapa to Nepal's flood victims

A generous contribution of Nepali Rupees One Lakh Forty Thousand was handed over today at a function in Kathmandu by SAF-Nepal Chairperson Dr. Rita Thapa to Managing Director of Kantipur Publications Mr. Kailash Sirohiya as assistance to Nepal's flood victims.

Empowering the Poorest in Nepal for Safe Birthing

SOS Earthquake Bi-annual Report - January to June, 2008

A few books were handed over to Prof. Dr. Sushil Raj Pandey at the Tribhuvan University

A few books were handed over this afternoon to Prof. Dr. Sushil Raj Pandey, Head - Political Science Department at the Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal on the occasion of the birthday of Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Founder of SAF.

Neeraj Chandra Roy

I would like to express my gratitude for providing me the SAF scholarship to study in ACJ, Chennai. From the very first day of my class, I have felt that I will be able to gain a wide range of perspective(s) from this college.

Fathmath Fazeela - Participant of SAF-Scout Friendship Camps in Bhutan

South Asian Centre for Journalists Reporting Conflict inaugurated

The South Asian Centre for Journalists Reporting Conflict (SCJRC), a joint venture of the Press Institute of India (PII) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was inaugurated here on Friday.

Poornima Weerasekara - Mark of gratitude from a SAF Madanjeet Singh group scholarship recipient

I am Poornima Weerasekara from Sri Lanka, a lucky recipient of the SAF-Madanjeet Singh scholarship to attend the Asian College of Journalism this year.

Srinagar Rocks not by Bombs but by the sound of Music

The South Asia Foundation (SAF) organized a rare concert of “The Singhs” and the “Junoon” groups in Srinagar in the third week of May.

SAF - Quarterly

Message from the SAF FounderNews and Views on SAF activities

Degree Show 2008, School of Visual Arts, Architecture & Design, BNU (Lahore)

This is a special time for BNU's School of Visual Arts and School of Architecture and Design students. In their 2008 Thesis Exhibition, our students are bringing four years of hard and challenging work to completion.

Acknowledgement by Rony James Martin, a Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarship (India) from the School of Visual Arts, BNU, Lahore

India's outlook on junoon in kashmir

Despite staying in the same hotel, it proved hard to pin down Salman Ahmed-the lead singer and guitarist of the Pakistani Sufi rock group Junoon-for an interview.

Building cross-cultural bridges between SAARC nations

He did not become the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador by sheer chance. It was the trauma of India’s Partition and the images of violence engraved in his mind that forced Madanjeet Singh to promote cross-cultural ties among SAARC nations.

Junoon: Breaking down barriers

MUSIC knows no boundaries, allowing its universality to transcendage-old divisions and bring strangers — even rivals — closer to one another. Which is why one should appreciate, rather than condemn, concerts such as the one staged by Pakistan's Junoon band in Srinagaron Sunday.

Visit to one of the SAF-PPERA schools in Gandharbal, Kashmir

Sound track diplomacy

Everything is not politics in Kashmir, but everything tends to be

Pratibha says Kashmir is embodiment of compassion

Invoking Kashmir's revolutionary poet Gulam Ahmed Mehjoor, President Pratibha Patil on Monday asked its "gardeners (people) to create the glory of spring and make the flowers bloom and the birds sing again". She said Kashmir was rightly called rishiwaer or the abode of rishis as it embodies love, tolerance and compassion.

Inauguration of the Exhibition of South Asian Women Painters

By H.E. Mrs H.B Ghazanfar, Women’s Affair Minister, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan on the 27th of May 2008.

Hum Bhe Kuch Hein ('We are also somebody')

Experiences of the young women awarded the SAF/University of Jammu Scholarship, by Salma Ali

Inauguration of the Institute for Kashmir Studies by Her Excellency H.E. Shrimati Praibha Patil, President of India

UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Institute for Kashmir studies (UMIKS) has been established under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 21st August 2007, between SAF and the University of Kashmir. It is the latest of the eight institutions of excellence which SAF is in the process of establishing in SAARC countries. In addition to group scholarships, it will offer fellowships to academics and professionals to undertake research, publish books, journals, working papers and bulletins, as well as organize national and international conferences, seminars of “Kashmiriyat” in a broader historical and worldwide context

Deepamala Abeysekera - Mark of gratitude from a SAF Madanjeet Singh group scholarship recipient

I trust this mail finds you in best of health and spirits. Hope you can remember me. I am Deepamala Abeysekera from Sri Lanka. I am writing this email from United Nations Head office where I am engaged in my internship Programme.

Junoon band enthrals Srinagar

Pakistan's acclaimed pop band Junoon staged their maiden performance in Srinagar on Sunday, ignoring death threats by militants who opposed the show, and regaling thousands of cheering fans at an open air theatre by the scene Dal Lake.

With Pak's Junoon in full blast, Kashmir sings to peace, unity

The scene was like a postcard image of Kashmir - but superimposed with visuals straight from the Woodstock music festival.

Valleys enjoys Junoon

Popular Pakistani sufi rock band Junoon on Sunday mesmerised the audience at a concert here with 4,000 people, mainly school and college students, turning out at the concert and singing along with its superhit Sayouni, despite the opposition to the event from terror groups.

Next to Dal Lake, a musical jihad - Pakistani Band, Junoon, Performs In Srinagar

The hills that have for years reverberated with gunfire, came alive with the sound of music on Sunday afternoon as Kashmiris, particularly the youth, turned up in large numbers and swayed to the rhythmic beats of Pakistani Sufi ban, Junoon.

Junoon frenzy grips the Valley

Kashmir RockedPak Band performs for peace, calls it "Musical Jehad"

People-to-people contact must be strengthened, say SAARC leaders

Leaders from various South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries on Sunday called for strengthening people-to-people contact between India and Pakistan, which they said would help resolve the Kashmir issue.

Srinagar rocks to Pakistani band Junoon's music

Thousans turn up for the mega concert

Inauguration of the Institute for Kashmir Studies

3.00 pm: The peace concert by the Singhs and Junoon bands.

Inauguration of the Institute for Kashmir Studies

9.00 am: Meeting of SAF Governing Council in the “Durbar Hall” at the Intercontinental Grand Palace Hotel Srinagar.

The 7th annual SAF Governing Council Meeting, Srinagar, India

On the morning of Sunday, 25 May, SAF-India chairman Hon. Mani Shankar Aiyar opened the 7th annual SAF Governing Council meeting in Durbar Hall at the Intercontinental Grand Palace Hotel Srinagar (Jammu & Kashmir, India). The meeting was attended the SAF Advisors: N .Ram, Lady Mohini Noon, France Marquet and chairpersons of SAF chapters except for Dr. Ahmed Shaheed, (Chairman, SAF-Maldives) and Dr. Kamal Hossain (Chairman, SAF-Bangladesh). Dr. Hossain was represented by Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, (Vice-Chancellor, BRAC University) and Mr Farooq Sobhan (Former Foreing Secretary).

Govt urged to stop Junoon's Srinagar performance

The United Jihad Council (UJC) has asked the federal government to stop the rock music band Junoon from performing in Srinagar, saying it may send a 'wrong message' to Kashmiris.

Scouts and Guides welcome SAF founder at Srinagar airport

On 20 October 2007, while attending the 22nd Asia-Pacific Region (APR) Scout Conference, held from 18-23 October 2007, in Tokyo, Japan, I met with Dr. N.A. Khan, Vice-Chairman Scouts Profile Committee, Asia Pacific Region World Scout Bureau and State Chief Commissioner J & K Scouts & Guides.

Inauguration of Afghan Women's Painter at the Madanjeet Singh Institute for Afghanistan's Cultural Heritage

SAF is one of the most responsible Foundations of the South Asia region focused on cultural development and art efflorescence. One of SAF's main goals is presenting the culture and civilization of this region to the otherworld regions. Mr. Madanjeet Singh is the Founder of SAF.

The 6th SAF-Scout Friendship Camp - Bangladesh

On behalf of the host Organization Bangladesh Scouts,we are please to inform you that the 6th SAF Scout Friendship Camp will be held on 12-18 October 2008 in Mouchak, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

An orientation cum training was initiated here in Kathmandu on maternal and newborn health

An orientation cum training was initiated here in Kathmandu on maternal and newborn health to update knowledge of ANM trainers from the Jiri Technical Institute on essential maternal and neo-natal health care and complications management.

Full placement for ACJ's Class 2008

I am happy to inform you that we have already achieved FULL JOB PLACEMENT for the Class of 2008 of the Asian College of Journalism as on April 10, 2008.

Music has no religion

Fundamentalists and fanatics are barking up the wrong tree. Never ever has any obstruction or suppression of culture stopped the arts and music from transcending national boundaries.

Vidya Shah, the young musician member of the Culture Sub-Committee

A speech recently delivered by Vidya Shah, the young musician member of the Culture Sub-Committee of the SAF-India Advisory Board.Presented at a Seminar organized by INTACH and Nakshband Educational Trust, IIC, March 15th New Delhi

Present status of the Project PPERA, University of Kashmir, Srinagar (J&K)

PPERA a novel project funded by Goodwill Ambassador to UNESCO and Founder South Asia Foundation His Excellency Mr. Madanjeet Singh envisages checking school dropout rate in rural and urban areas of Kashmir and Ladakh.

SOS Emergency Relief Programme-EQ - 1st October 2007 - 31st December 2007

On the 31st of December 2007 there were 212 children and 11 widows in the care of SOS Children’s Villages.

So what was your experience in Lahore?

Flash!!! Flash!!! Flash!!! So what was your experience in Lahore? How did you come up with the idea of children? What do you think of the art scene in Pakistan? Very refreshing!!! Very impressive!!! You could have done better!!! Oh no!! I wanted that drawing!

Vidha Saumya

I graduated from Sir J.J. School of Fine Art specializing in Painting in 2005. After a year’s break during which I traveled, did freelance assignments and read, I joined Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology in July 2006 to study Visual Communication Design.

SAARC to collaborate in social science research

Seven members of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation will step up collaborative and individual social science research in their countries to help to devise policies on the basis of scientific evidence.

SAF Cultural Committee Meeting, 4th March 2008

Meeting at the Ministry of Women Affairs, Kabul, from March 22, to April 5, 2008.

On January 9, 2008, Hon. Dr. H.B.Ghazanfar, Afghanistan’s Minister of Women Affairs called a meeting at Ministry of Women Affairs, Kabul, to discuss the modalities of arranging an exhibition of women painters of Afghanistan at the Madanjeet Singh Institute of Afghanistan Cultural Heritage, Kabul.