SOUTH ASIA FOUNDATION (SAF)

REPORT ON ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR 2009

A-33, Vasant Marg, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi-110 057 (India) Ph: +91 11 26153721-24, Fax: +91 11 26155871, www.southasiafoundation.org

South Asia Foundation (SAF) Report on Activities for the Year 2009 Introduction Founded in India by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh in 2000, the South Asia Foundation (SAF) is a secular, non-profit and non-political organization, comprising eight autonomous chapters in: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. SAF is a cooperative organization designed to promote regional cooperation between South Asian communities through education, cultural interaction, and sustainable economic development with the vision of establishing a common currency in the SAARC countries. SAF has been recognized as an Apex Body of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC). SAF has been admitted into official relationship with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). For details, please visit SAF website www.southasiafoundation.org The Governing Council comprises of eight Chairpersons & Vice-Chairpersons of SAF chapters: Afghanistan: Chair person: Vice-Chairperson: Bangladesh: Chairperson: Vice Chairperson:

Bhutan: Chairperson: Vice-Chairperson:

India: Chairperson: Vice-Chairperson: Maldives: Chairperson: Vice Chairperson: . Nepal: Chairperson: Vice-Chairperson:

H.E. Dr. Syed Makhdoom Raheen, Culture Minister, Afghanistan Prof. Omara Khan Masoodi, Director, Kabul National Museum

Dr. Kamal Hossain, Former Minister of Law, Foreign Affairs, Dhaka Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University, Dhaka Hon. Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, Former Agriculture and Prime Minister, Bhutan Mr. Chencho Tshering, Member of Media sub committee for SAARC summit; Managing Director of Kuensel Corporation Ltd. Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Former Union Minister, Panchayati Raj Dr. Syeda Hameed, Member of Planning Commission, New Delhi

Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, Special Envoy of the President, Maldives Dr. Mohammed Nazeer, Deputy Minister of Education, Maldives Dr. Rita Thapa, Senior Advisor to the Nepal Ministry of Health Mr. Nischal Nath Pandey, Former Executive Director, Institute of Foreign Affairs, Kathmandu, Nepal

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Pakistan: Chairperson: Vice Chairperson:

Prof. Salima Hashmi , Dean, School of Visual Arts, BNU, Lahore ,Pakistan Mr. Najam Sethi, Editor-in-Chief, Friday Times, Lahore, Pakistan

Sri Lanka: Chairperson: Vice Chairperson:

Hon. Mrs. Chandrika B. Kumaratunga, Former President of Sri Lanka Dr. Ronald Silva, Chancellor, Moratuwa University, Sri Lanka

Each of the eight chapters may, at an annual meeting of the Governing Council or at any other special meeting, present a proposal that promote regional cooperation. A decision to accept or reject a proposal will be taken by unanimity. The responsibility for implementing the approved projects is entirely that of the Chairpersons and their Advisory Board members. In conformity with the general principle that institutional projects funded by SAF would bear at least half the costs, either in funds or in kind. Since 2006, SAF has been recognized as an Apex Body of South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC), Kathmandu, Nepal, and its aims and objectives are in conformity with the spirit and purpose and principles of the SAARC Charter. SAF has been admitted into an official relationship with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Paris, France since October 2006.

MAJOR EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES OF SAF DURING THE YEAR 2009 Ambassador Madanjeet Singh honoured by Pondicherry University At the 19th Convocation held at Pondicherry University, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and Founder, SAF, was conferred the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) on 20th March 2009. The citation read at the convocation highlights his contributions to the society, nation and, in particular, his tireless efforts to promote regional cooperation among the countries of South Asia.

Shri Madanjeet Singh, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador & Founder South Asia Foundation (third from left) receiving the Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) from the hands of Shri Somnath Chaterjee, Honorable Speaker of Lok Sabha, in the presence of Pondicherry University's Vice Chancellor, Dr J.K.A.Tareen.

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Release of the book Kashmiriyat by Hon. Dr. Farooq Abdullah The book, Kashmiriyat by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh was released by Dr. Farooq Abdullah in a function held at the SAF Office at A-33, Vasant Marg on the 23rd March, 2009. The function was attended by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Dr. Karan Singh, Shri Saifuddin Soz, Mr. N. Ram, Editor in Chief, The Hindu, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh and a number of invited guests. Copies of Kashmiriyat were freely distributed.

Release of Kashmiriyat on 23rd March 2009. In the picture, from L to R, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Mr. N. Ram

Meetings of the Advisory Board and Cultural Committees Meetings of the Advisory Board and Cultural Committee were held on 23rd March, 2009 in New Delhi where it was decided to hold a theatre festival at Preet Nagar in the month of October. It was decided at these meetings that a Peace Festival be organized in collaboration with Saanjh and other prominent organizations, like the Punarjyot, Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop (RPTW), National School of Drama (NAPA), ICCR and Gurbaksh Singh – Nanak Singh Foundation. SAF-Peace Festival 2009 Planning for the Festival Meetings were held at the Springdale Senior School, Amritsar, on 7th & 8th May, 2009 to chalk out the programme for the Peace Festival 2009. The meeting was attended by Prof. Salima Hashmi, Mr. Shoib Hashmi, Mr. Faizaan Peerzada, Mr. M.K. Raina, Ms. Neeta Mohindra, Dr. Kirat Sandhu, Mr. Sameer Arora, Mr. Rajiv Sharma, Mr.Sahiljit Singh Sandhu, Dr. Veena Sikri and Mr. P.K. Prabhakaran from SAF India. They also visited Gurubaksh Singh-Nanak Singh Foundation, Preet Nagar, and held a meeting with Ms. Uma Gurbaksh Singh, Mr. Kulbir Singh Suri, Mr. Hriday Paul Singh, Mr. Harinder Sohal, Mr. Praveen Paul, Mr. Kewal Dhaliwal, where the Peace Festival was proposed to kick off on 18th October, 2009.

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SAF Peace Festival 2009: Preet Nagar, Wagah & Amritsar Events Organised The main aim of the Peace Festival was to further the SAF objective of Regional cooperation. The SAF-Peace Festival 2009 was organized in partnership with SAANJH of Springdale Senior School, Amritsar and supported by Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), National Academy of Performing Arts, Karachi (NAPA), National School of Drama (NSD), Punarjyot, Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop and Gurubaksh Singh-Nanak Singh Foundation.

Peace Festival – A Curtain Raiser The festival started with the Indo-Pak Children’s Theatre Production of Mime workshop conducted by Mr. Andreas Ceska of Austria. Students from Pakistan and Amritsar participated in the workshop and they performed a production at the Springdale Senior School on the 10th of October, 2009 as a curtain raiser program of the Peace Festival.

Building Blocks for Peace A conversation with Ms. Asma Jahangir, Chairperson of Human Rights Commission in Pakistan and Special Rapporteur of the UN Commission on Human Rights and and Padmashri Ms. Teesta Setalvad, Co-editor of Communalism Combat, Secretary of Citizens for Justice and Peace and founder member of Pakistan-India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy 1994 and Human Rights Activist participated in a programme of conversation entitled – Building Blocks for Peace. This was moderated by Prof. Salima Hashmi of School of Visual Arts, BNU, Lahore. The thought provoking discussion, aptly named “Building Blocks for Peace”, was attended by many at the Punjab Naatshala, Amritsar, on the 14th of October.

Building Blocks for Peace a conversation with Asma Jahangir & Teesta Setalvad.

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Interaction with Children at Preet Nagar. Founder, SAF, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh spent the Diwali day with about 800 children on the 17th October, 2009 at Preet Nagar. He also distributed SAF-Peace Festival T-Shirts and Diwali sweets to the children.

Press Conference A press conference was held on the 18th of October in MK Hotel, Amritsar where a number of journalists from the local media interacted with Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Founder, SAF. The concept to introduce a common currency for the South Asian Countries was the major theme of the press conference which was widely reported in many dailies. Copies of the book “Kashmiriyat” were also distributed to Media Persons.

The Peace Festival was inaugurated on the 18th October at Preet Nagar by Ambassador Madanjeet Sigh, which was attended, among others, by Mr. Punnu, DC, Amritsar, Ms. Syeda Hameed, Mr.Faizaan Peerzada, Dr. Kirat Sandhu and Ms. Uma Gurubaksh Singh.

The Festival started with the screening of the SAF Documentary, “The Oral and Intangible Heritage of South Asia”, followed by the play Akhian Waleon, presented by Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop. The night’s program concluded with the screening of a documentary on Preet Nagar produced by Door Darshan, Chandigarh. Copies of the book Kashmiriyat was distributed in English, Hindi and Urdu at the venue.

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Ambassador Madanjeet Singh with artists of Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop (Lahore) at Preet Nagar, Punjab

A four day long Film festival organized at the Art gallery Auditorium, Amritsar, was inaugurated by Ms. Syeda Hameed, Vice Chairperson, SAF-India, and Member, Planning Commission on 19th October, with peace as the theme, were screened. Copies of the book Kashmiriyat in English was distributed at the venue.

Ms. Syeda Hameed, Vice-Chairperson, SAF, inaugurating the Film festival.

On 19th October, Stay Yet A While an excellent Multimedia Theatre Production based on the book Mahatma and The Poet by Sabyasachi Bhattacharya by Mr. M.K Raina was staged at the BBK DAV college auditorium, Amritsar. Concurrently, Pakistani artists Sing Along Kafi, Sain Zahoor, and Baccha Jamoora (Puppet Show) had the performances at Preet Nagar. Among the distinguished gathering was also the Punjab Chief Minister, Shri Prakash Singh Badal.

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On 20th October, Janay Pehchanay Ajnabi a Theatre Production by National Academy of Performing Arts, Karachi was staged at BBK DAV College. Concurrently, the audience at the Springdale Senior School witnessed the musical evening of Mangniyar, folk music artists from Rajasthan, followed by Sain Zahoor, Goonga Sain & Mitthu Sain, and Arif Lohar from Pakistan, who kept the audience glued to the seats. This was followed by an electrifying performance of Raghu Dixit’s Rock Band with the audience dancing with the music. Simultaneously, at Preet Nagar, “Kehru Dus Numbria” a Theatre production by Kewal Dhaliwal was staged. On 21st October, the three thrilling solo performances by three women viz. Ms. Neeta Mohindra, Ms. Sheema Kermani and Ms. Sania Saeed from Pakistan were held at BBK DAV College. The music of Swami Bandhu’s Kabir Vani, sufi music followed by the singing of Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s poems and ghazals by Ms. Tina Sani at Springdale School continued late into the night. On 22nd October, the Film festival concluded with the screening of the film Kaya Taran at the Art Gallery. The film was introduced by Ms. Seema Biswas and Ms. Neeta Mohindra, who were also the actors in the movie. The theatre production Ghasiram Kothwal by the National School of Drama Repertoire Company, Delhi, held on the 22nd October was the greatest attraction for the theatre lovers at BBK DAV College at packed auditorium. The concluding event of the Peace Festival was the well acclaimed multimedia theatre production directed by Ms. Anuradha Kapur & Ms. Ein Lall, the Antigone Project at the Punjab Naatshala. The performance by Ms. Seema Biswas was watched by the audience with rapt attention. Ambasador Madanjeet Singh’s presence was a great boost to the events. Ambassador personally visited to see the possible arrangements for the proposed Paint in event at the Wagah Border. He stressed the importance of the event to be held at Wagah where children from India and Pakistan to paint jointly rather than separately. However, the event planned for the 16th October had to be cancelled owing to disturbances in Lahore and consequent security concerns. He interacted with the artists and media during his stay till 19th October morning. Detailed programme schedule of the SAF Peace Festival 2009 is given below:

SAF-PEACE FESTIVAL 2009 Amritsar – Wagah – Preet Nagar 10th to 23rd October 2009 S.No. 1.

2. 3.

4. 5.

PROGRAMME Curtain Raiser Indo-Pak Children’s Theatre Production By Andreas Ceska Building Blocks For Peace A conversation between Asma Jahangir, Teesta Setalvad and Salima Hashmi. Painting For Peace* Painting of Peace collage by Children on both sides of Wagah Distribution of Diwali sweets to children Inauguration of SAF Peace Festival

DATE

VENUE

10th Oct

Spring Dale Senior School, Amritsar

14th Oct.

Punjab Naatshala, Amritsar

16th Oct.

Wagah Border, Amritsar

17th Oct. 18th Oct.

Preet Nagar Preet Nagar

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6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16. 17.

A Documentary on Preet Nagar (Produced by Doordarshan, Chandigarh Researcher & Resource Person Dr. Indu Bala) ‘Akhian Waleo’ (Theatre Production by Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop, Lahore). Sing Along Kafi, Sain Zahoor, Puppet ShowBaccha Jamoora A 4 day Film Festival on the theme of Peace. ‘Stay Yet A While’ (Multimedia Production by M.K. Raina) Kaku (A film on Child Labour, Sponsored by UNICEF directed by Kewal Dhaliwal) ‘Kehru Dus Numbria’ (Theatre Production by Kewal Dhaliwal) Janay Pehchanay Ajnabi (Theatre Production by National Academy of Performing Arts, Karachi) Music Night Raghu Dixit, Arif Lohar, Goonga Sain, Sain Zahoor, Mangniyars. ‘Three Women’ (Three well known actresses from India and Pakistan. Neeta Mohindra, Sheema Kirmani and Sania Saeed in solo performances on the theme of the Festival.) Music Night Tina Sani sings Faiz, Bharti Bandhu sing Kabir Vani ‘Ghasiram Kotwal’ (Theatre Production by National School of Drama Repertory Company) ‘Antigone Project’ (Theatre Production by Anuradha Kapur).

18th Oct.

Preet Nagar

19th Oct.

Preet Nagar

19th-22nd Oct.

Art Gallery, Amritsar

19th Oct.

B.B.K. D.A.V. College, Amritsar

20th Oct.

Preet Nagar

20th Oct.

Preet Nagar

20th Oct.

B.B.K. D.A.V. College, Amritsar

20th Oct.

Spring Dale Senior School, Amritsar

21st Oct.

B.B.K. D.A.V. College, Amritsar

21st Oct.

Spring Dale Senior School, Amritsar

22nd Oct. 23rd Oct.

B.B.K. D.A.V. College, Amritsar Punjab Naatshala, Amritsar

* “Painting for Peace” had to be cancelled owing to disturbances in Lahore and consequent security concerns.

Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, during his stay in Delhi before returning to France on the 24th October called upon the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and Minister for Renewable and Unconventional Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah.

UNESCO- Madanjeet Singh Prize 2009 For the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence, US$ 100,000 funded by SAF UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize was created in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, thanks to the generosity of the Indian writer and diplomat Madanjeet Singh, Founder, SAF who is also a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. The Director-General of UNESCO Koichiro Matsuura, has decided, following the unanimous recommendation of the International Jury, to award the 2009 UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence to the following two laureates, dividing the $100,000 amount of the Prize equally between them:

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Abdul Sattar Edhi (Pakistan)

Abdul Sattar Edhi (Pakistan) for his life-long efforts to ameliorate the conditions of the most disadvantaged groups in Pakistan and South Asia, and to promote the ideals of human dignity, human rights, mutual respect and tolerance. Dedicated to advancing the spirit of tolerance in the arts, education, culture, science and communication, the Prize is awarded every two years to individuals or institutions for outstanding contributions to the promotion of tolerance and non-violence.

Francois Houtart (Belgium)

Francois Houtart (Belgium) for his life-long commitment to world peace, intercultural dialogue, human rights and the promotion of tolerance, and in recognition of his outstanding efforts to advance the cause of social justice in the world.

A complete list of Laureates of the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence since its inception 1996



Association of 32 non-governmental women’s organization of Rwanda (“All Together”)

1998



Narayan Desai, Educator and Peace Activist of India, Organizer of the Shanti Sena (Peace Bridge).

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

Joint Action Committee for Peoples Rights of Pakistan, an informal coalition of 30 non-governmental organizations and individuals founded in 1990

2000



Pope Shenouda III, the Head of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church

2002



Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, an International Symbol of Peaceful Resistance to Oppression, Laureate of the 1991 Nobel Peace Prize 2004



Taslima Nasreen, writer and journalist from Bangladesh

2006



Veerasingham Anandasangaree from Sri Lanka, President of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) 2009

 Francois Houtart, noted sociologist of religions and theology from Belgium, ardent promoter of North-South cooperation, human rights defender, founder and Director of the Tri-Continental Centre (CETRI)  Abdul Sattar Edhi, humanitarian activist, outstanding philanthropist from Pakistan, founder and President of Edhi Foundation. The Annual Governing Council Meeting of the SAF: 21st November, 2009, New Delhi The chairpersons of all the SAF chapters, except Afghanistan and Sri Lanka, attended the SAF Governing Council meeting. Dr. Syeda Hameed, Vice Chairperson, SAF-India welcomed the delegates. Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Founder, SAF, at the outset, stressed the importance of the Institutions of Excellence. It was suggested and agreed that an appendix, on the lines indicated below, be made part of all MoU’s of Institutions of Excellence to bring about uniformity and clarity:  At least 70% of the funds provided by SAF annually shall be spent on group scholarships and 30% on other related expenditure like books, short time teachers, from other SAARC countries temporary staff, seminars, workshops, research etc.  Subject to the availability of funds the SAF Institutions shall increase the number of scholarships based on gender equality.  Any unspent amount should be carried forward to cover the cost of group scholarships during the subsequent year.  In conformity with the resolution adopted in 2002 by the Governing Council of SAF, the institutions are obliged to contribute at least half the fund in cash or kind provided by SAF.  No SAF fund shall be spent on the construction of building/ repair/ maintenance or related infrastructure.

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 The SAF annual installment for subsequent year will be released on receipt of the authorized auditors report listing the name of students and itemized details of the expenditure incurred on each scholarships and scholarship related costs.  The annual report by SAF Institution of Excellence should be sent to SAF-India Chapter, New Delhi office before they are forwarded to the SAF Trustees for subsequent payment.  Ambassador Madanjeet Singh said it was a procedural step which will be attached with the MoUs and the payment will continue as before. The Governing Council also deliberated on the issues listed below, which were adopted: 1. The administrative charges cannot be included in the $ 200,000 given to the Institutions through the SAF chapters as the institutions and SAF administrative office/secretaries are different entities. Separate funds will be given for the administrative expenses and payment to the secretaries of the chapter. 2. Since the SAARC Forestry Institute and the SAARC University are not functioning, a visit to Bhutan and further talks with the Govt. is needed. 3. Prof. J A K Tareen elaborated on escalation of the expenditure on the building which is under construction and the funds from SAF and requested for some flexibility in the allocation from the 70-30% structure in the first year which was agreed upon. 4. Modalities of selection of students for the Group scholarships were discussed and the process adopted by ACJ/ Pondicherry University by All India entrance tests and whoever tops the tests being given the SAF scholarship making it more transparent. This however, was not applied to Kashmir Institute as it is a Research Institute. Prof. G. M. Khawaja, Director, Institute of Kashmir Studies, Srinagar wanted the SAF chapter to forward the scholars. Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar made it clear that Sponsoring candidates will be applicable to Institutes outside India chapter. 5. Prof. Salima Hashmi emphasized that in case some chapter is not able to get students, more scholarships be given to other countries as is done in BNU where more Afghanistan students were admitted which was agreed upon. 6. Ambassador Madanjeet Singh stressed on the need to have more visibility for the activities of SAF, as was done with the Peace Festival. Press conferences may be held with the formation of a Press Committee with the expertise of leading stalwart of Indian Journalism, Mr. N Ram, Mr. M. K. Raina, Mr. Nischal Pandey , Mr. P.K. Prabhakaran so that press/ media exposure is given to SAF activities. 7. The website will be periodically updated and each secretary should send the up-todate information with illustrations and photographs to include in the annual report and in the website. Updated report should also to be sent to Mr. Prabhakaran who will be coordinating the preparation of the Annual Report. Information provided should be accurate and if any mistake has crept in it should also be corrected. All are requested to kindly keep checking the SAF website. 8. An International Journal Published by Pondicherry University and inaugurated by Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar was displayed by Prof. J A K Tareen which will include the SAF logo from next issue.

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9. It was noted that Dr. Rita Thapa has done excellent work with the previous scheme of Individual scholarships. However, the Founder, SAF, opined that the 151 scholarships for midwife training given in Nepal didn’t promote regional cooperation. But now there is need to expand the program to effectively promote Regional cooperation, and Madanjeet Singh Institute of Health and Regional Cooperation is to be formed in Nepal, taking the model of Pondicherry University. Similarly, Mr. Nischal Pandey will have a department of South Asian Studies attached with the Institute to promote regional cooperation. 10. Next meeting is decided to be held at Lahore during October-November 2010. 11. Mr. N. Ram & Ms. K.N. Malini, Registrar of Asian Collage of Journalism informed the meeting that The British Council has an excellent course for 42 weeks (weekends) for English at a very reasonable fee of Rs.6000/- which has proved to be very useful to all who are not very good at the language. 12. Prof. J A K Tareen informed that an add-on Diploma is also offered in Pondicherry University for the SAF students free of cost. Pondicherry University is the only Institution where almost 35 Diploma courses are offered. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks by SAF-India Chairperson Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar and was followed by a lunch. Mr. Aiyar specially thanked all the delegates who could come for the meeting despite a very busy schedule. He welcomed Mr. Shiv Shankar Menon and Mr. M.K. Raina.

Governing Council Meeting in Progress.

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Press Conference A Press conference was addressed by Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Mr. N. Ram and Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar during lunch.

Press Conference held at SAF-India Office, New Delhi on 21st November 2009

The lunch was also attended by about 35 participants of the Safeguarding Sound and Image Collections (SOIMA) organized by the Rome based organization International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) led by Ms. Aparna Tandon.

Ambassador Madanjeet Singh Interacting with SOIMA delegates

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Association with ICCROM and SOIMA International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) is a Rome based organization. Safeguarding Sound and Image Collections (SOIMA), a project of ICCROM organized training from 16th November –December at Delhi. SAF supported the participants from India, Pakistan & Sri Lanka with a contribution of € 6300 by Founder, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, towards their registration, travel and boarding & lodging. SAF-India also hosted the training program by ICCROM & SOIMA for the 35 participants led by Ms. Aparna Tandon at The USI Residency, New Delhi, on 21st November, 2009 which was a daylong training. They were also invited for the lunch on 21st November at SAF-India office premises with the Governing Council members and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh. The delegates to the Governing council were also invited for a banquet dinner hosted by Mme France & Ambassador Madanjeet Singh on 21st November, 2009 at the Taj Mansingh Hotel.

Signing of MoUs The MoU on Madanjeet Institute for South Asian Arts (MISAA) was signed in New Delhi on 22nd November, 2009, between Prof. Sartaj Aziz, Vice Chancellor of Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore, Prof. Salima Hashmi, Dean, School of Visual Arts, BNU, Lahore and Chairperson, SAF-Pakistan and Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Founder Trustee, South Asia Foundation (SAF).

Signing of MoU for MISAA: Prof.Sartaj Aziz , Prof. Salima Hashmi and Ambassador Madanjeet Singh

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Appendix to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 20th June 2009 between Pondichery University and the South Asia Foundation (“SAF”) for the establishment of Madanjeet Singh Institute of South Asia Regional Cooperation (MISARC) at Pondicherry University.

Signing of the Appendix to the MoU of MISARC, L to R, Prof. J.A.K. Tareen, Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh

Meeting of Heads of Institutes and Secretaries of SAF Advisory Board: 22nd November 2009, New Delhi On 22nd Nov, a meeting of the Heads of Institutions and Secretaries of the SAF Advisory Boards was held at the SAF-India Conference room. The following were present at the meeting: S. No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Name

Institutions/SAF Chapters

Prof. Surabhi Banerjee Prof. J.A.K.Tareen Dr. N.K.Jha Mr. S. Loganathan Prof. Riyaz Punjabi Prof. Mustafa Khawaja Prof. Sartaj Aziz Prof. Salima Hashmi Ms. K.N.Malini Dr. Obaidullah Raufi Mr. Obaidullah Al Zakir Mr. Lham Nidup Mr. P.K. Prabhakaran

Vice Chancellor, Central University of Orissa Vice Chancellor, Pondicherry University Director, MISARC, Pondicherry Registrar, Pondicherry University Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University Director, Institute of Kashmir Studies Vice Chancellor, BNU, Lahore Chair, SAF-Pakistan & Dean, SVA, BNU Registrar, Asian College of Journalism, Chennai Secretary, SAF-Afghanistan Secretary, SAF-Bangladesh Secretary, SAF-Bhutan Secretary, SAF-India

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14 15 16

Mr. Ahmed Hamdan Mr. Nishchal Nath Pandey Ms. Swinitha Perera

Secretary, SAF-Maldives Secretary, SAF-Nepal Secretary, SAF-Sri Lanka

From left to right: Prof Tareen, Vice chancellor of Pondicherry University; Mr Sartaj Aziz, Vice chancellor Beaconhouse National University, Lahore; Prof Salima Hashmi, SAF Pakistan chairperson; Madanjeet Singh, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, founder of South Asia Foundation; Mr Riyaz Punjabi, Vice chancellor Kashmir University. In the back: Mr. Ahmad Hamdhan, secretary SAF Maldives chapter, Prof Khawaja Director of the Institute for Kashmir Studies, Srinagar;Prof Nalini K Jha, Director of Madanjeet Singh Institute for South Asia Cooperation (MISARC) Puducherry; Mr Lham Nidup, secretary SAF Bhutan chapter.

Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Founder, SAF, who was chairing the meeting, welcomed the participants for their attendance. At this meeting, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh emphasized the role of secretaries: -

Ambassador Madanjeet Singh indicated that this meeting is the most important meeting, since secretaries are the ones who are operating the foundation.

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Aim of the meeting is to understand the responsibility of secretaries, their duties, & to increase the cooperation between secretaries & the Institutes.

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Aim of Institutions of Excellence is to increase the regional cooperation between SAARC countries through group scholarships.

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Selections of Students are important.

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Unless the candidates who are selected do not take the advantage of the course, the programme is a failure.

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The Selection Committee should be competent enough to select the right candidate for the scholarships.

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The Vice-chairman should be responsible for the supervision of selection committee.

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SAF do give much importance to spread the news of their activities through media.

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The secretaries should be in touch with the media of their own country. Provide the media with photos & information of the activities carried out by SAF chapters.

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Every year SAF will publish a report which consists of all information of the activities carried out through that year. The yearly report would be published in the form of booklet.

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A good suggestion made by Ms. K.N. Malini, Registrar, ACJ, Chennai, that a Group email id of all present and past students of Institutions of Excellence be designed to provide exchange of information. This was unanimously agreed.

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Sri Lanka Secretary raised the issue of late announcement from universities for the scholarships. Hence, SAF chapters would not be able to select best candidates for the course.

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Maldives secretary raised the issue of air tickets for the selected candidates. Since the chapters do not have any fund with them, they could not be able to spend for the tickets. It was decided that, each Institute should send electronic tickets for the selected candidates. Book release by Ambassador Madanjeet Singh A Book Release function was organized at the SAF office in New Delhi on the 24th November, when the Book “Dreams & Realities – Some Milestones in Pakistan’s History” of Prof. Sartaj Aziz published by Oxford University Press was released. The function was attended by Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Shri. Mani Shankar Aiyar, H.E. Mr. Shahid Malik, Pakistan High Commissioner, Prof. Mushirul Hassan, Director, Academy of Third World Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, Dr. Syed Shahid Mahdi, Former Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia and Prof. Sartaj Aziz. The distinguished audience included Mr. Jaswant Singh. The function was followed by a Tea.

Release of the Book “Dreams & Realities-Some Milestones in Pakistan’s History”.

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Report on SAF-Scout Friendship Camp, 2009 The 7th SAF Scout Friendship Camp at Gadpuri, Haryana, was held from 20 to 26 November 2009, to coincide with the annual meeting of the Governing Council of South Asia Foundation (SAF) in Delhi on 21 November 2009. Accordingly, the SAF trustees and chairpersons from the eight SAARC countries were invited on 20 November so that both the organizations could jointly participate in the scout inaugural ceremony and SAF events. SAF founder Ambassador Madanjeet Singh wrote a brief message for the brochure printed on this occasion by the Bharat Scouts & Guides, based on the MoU he signed on 10th January 2005, with Mr. Abdullah Rashed, Regional Director, Asia Pacific Region (APR), on behalf of all national Scouts organizations in South Asia. He recalled his memorable visit to the APR Scout camp in Thimphu, Bhutan, in January 2000, and proposed that similar SAF-Scout Friendship Camps be organized in SAARC countries so that South Asian boys and girls may have the opportunity of meeting and fostering mutual friendships and promote regional cooperation.

At the 22nd Asia-pacific Regional Scouts Conference held in Tokyo, Japan, from 18-23 October 2007, SAF representative Mme France Marquet was awarded a plaque in recognition for the promotion of regional cooperation.

"Regional Cooperation" was the theme of the First SAF-Scout Friendship Camp held in Bhutan (21-26 February 2002) in which about 550 girls and boys from the seven SAARC countries participated.

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In 2002, the first SAF Scouts Friendship Camp was organized in Bhutan in which 550 scouts and guides from seven SAARC countries participated in a colourful pageantry of dance and music.

The Second, equally successful SAF-Scout Friendship Camp with held in Maldives (15-22 February 2003) the theme of which was "Protection of the Environment". It provided 180 youngsters the rare treat of camping in the Feydhoo Finolhu Island. Both the camps were almost entirely funded by South Asia Foundation (SAF).

“Protection of the Environment” was the theme of the second SAF Scout Friendship Camp, held on Feydhoo Finolho Island in the Maldives from 16-22 February 2003.

Since the SAF Scouts Friendship Camps were launched in Bhutan, they have been an outstanding success notwithstanding the few shortcomings in the implementation of the MoU signed in 2005, thousands of youngsters who participated in these camps have benefited in the field of education, general knowledge of the geography and environment of SAARC countries and above all promoted regional cooperation and peace worldwide. Worldwide experience has shown that organizations such as SAF cannot sustain themselves and function effectively unless all the participants of joint ventures equally share the costs and responsibilities. Hence, at a meeting held in April 2002, at Beaulieusur-Mer, France, SAF chairpersons unanimously decided that in future SAF shall not undertake any project without a matching contribution by recipients of SAF funds.

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Accordingly, the earlier MoU signed on 22 November 2003, was superseded by another Mou signed between SAF and APR on 10th January 2005 (See page 21). The 2005 MoU stipulated full cooperation between SAF and the National Scout organizations of South Asia, as the aims, objectives and activities of SAF are entirely in tune with the scouting spirit, purpose and principles. It highlighted that “all decisions shall be taken in consultation with South Asia Foundation, the World Scout Bureau, Asia Pacific Regional Office and no unilateral decisions be made by anyone party.

Ignoring the conditions contained in the 2005 MoU and SAF’s annual grant of US$ 40,000/-, none of the trustees and members of the SAF Governing Council were invited to attend the inaugural ceremony and other functions of the 7th SAF Scout Friendship Camp. Neither did the APR director nor any of the national commissioners showed the elementary courtesy of contacting the distinguished members of SAF Governing council to explain the reason why they declined to participate in SAF functions. As a result, most of the trustees and SAF Governing Council members did not attend the scout function on 22 November that Ambassador Madanjeet Singh had personally solicited, except Dr. Kamal Hossain, Chairman SAF-Bangladesh chapter and Hon;able Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, chairman SAF-Bhutan chapter.

SAF-Bhutan chairman Dr. Kamal Hossain, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh and Hon’ble Mr. Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, around a bonfire at the 7th SAF Scout Friendship Camp at Gadpuri on 22nd November 2010.

On this occasion, copies of the UNESCO book, Kashmiriyat, in the English, Hindi, Urdu and Bengali editions were distributed among the scouts and guides in the language they knew. The blatant non-cooperation of the scout commissioners during the 7th SAF Scouts Friendship Camp was not only incomprehensible but astonishing as SAF has regularly highlighted the creative activities of Bharat Scouts & Guides through media and SAF publications.

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Mr. N.A. Khan, State Chief Commissioner, J & K Bharat Scouts and Guides (right) and Dr. G. M. Khawaja, Director, Institute of Kashmir Studies, welcomed SAF founder Ambassador Madanjeet Singh and Mme France Marquet, a SAF trustee, as they arrived at the Srinagar Airport.

Hence, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh has informed the President of Bharat Scouts & Guides, Mr. Rameshwar Thakur, Governor of Madhya Pradesh and Mr. Luc Panissod, Secretary General, World organization of Scout Movement (WOSM) in Switzerland. SAF trustees are awaiting their responses before this matter is considered by the SAF Governing Council at their next annual meeting to be held in Pondicherry, India, on 17th October 2010.

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Memorandum of Understanding Between the South Asia Foundation and the Chief Commissioners of National Scout Organization in South Asia

South Asia Foundation (SAF) is a voluntary, secular, non-profit and non-political youth movement. Founded by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, its cardinal objective is to promote regional cooperation through education and sustainable development across all levels of society in South Asia. SAF's eight Chapters - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - are registered in each country as national entities and their decentralized activities are guided by eminent Chairpersons assisted by members of their respective Advisory Board. During a visit to Bhutan in January 2000, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh was greatly impressed by a Scout camp in Thimphu. He proposed to the Scout Chief Commissioner that as the aims, objectives and activities of SAF are in tune with the spirit, purpose and principles of the National Scout Organizations of South Asia, similar SAF-Scout Friendship Camps be organized jointly so that boys and girls from all the South Asian countries may have an opportunity to meet and fostered mutual understanding and creative friendships.

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Consequently, the First SAF-Scout Friendship Camp was held in Bhutan (21-26 February 2002), a country nestled in the spectacular beauty of the Himalayas. "Regional Cooperation" was the theme of the camp in which a total of 550 girls and boys from the seven SAARC countries participated. An equally successful Second SAF-Scout Friendship Camp with "Protection of the Environment" as its theme was held in Maldives on 15-22 February 2003. It provided 180 youngsters the rare treat of camping in Feydhoo Finolhu. Both the camps were almost entirely funded by South Asia Foundation. World Wide, the experience has been that organizations such as SAF could hardly sustain themselves and function effectively unless all the participants share equally the costs and responsibilities of joint ventures. Hence, at a meeting held on 9-11 April 2002, at Beaulieusur­ Mer, France, SAF Chairpersons unanimously decided that SAF shall not undertake any project without a matching contribution by the participating South Asian country. This view was also endorsed by Mr. Abdullah Rasheed, Regional Director of the AsiaPacific Regional ( APR ) Office of the World Scout Bureau, Manila. He suggested that the ad-hoc practice of negotiating a budget with the host country be discontinued and the SAFScout Friendship Camps be held in accordance with the MoU signed between SAF and the Chief Commissioners of National Scout Organizations in South Asia, the terms of which are as follows: 1.

SAF shall provide an annual grant of US $ 40,000.00 to APR, towards part of the travel cost of hosting the event, which shall manage the account in ensuring that a fair representation of girls and boys from all SAARC countries to enable them to attend the event, accompanied by one adult male and one female Scout leader. Upon completion of the event, APR will submit within a month, a financial statement for the use of the funds made available by SAF.

2.

Regional Cooperation being SAF's principal objective, the SAF Chapter in the host country shall, as part of the camp's programme, arrange and pay for the expenses for a youth seminar on the subject, in consultation with the Scout Chief Commissioner. SAF shall also pay for the internal travel and hotel accommodation of the resource persons invited to create awareness of the Scouts on the merits of regional cooperation in South Asia and on topics of common interest to the youth of the region.

3.

In addition, the SAF Chapter in the host country shall arrange and pay for a documentary film (DVD) about the camp, as was done in Bhutan and Maldives.

4.

All other expenditures involved, including international and internal travel, board and lodging of the participating Scouts, entertainments, handicraft exhibitions, and the costs of other Scout related activities, shall be borne entirely by the Scout organization of the host country. The Chief Commissioner of the host country shall prepare the budget and if necessary, shall seek sponsorship or part funding from the host Government, international and national NGO's, well wishers and from the business sector or from participating countries.

5.

All official announcements and decisions related to the holding of the SAF Scout Friendship Camp in any given respective country shall come from the host organization and that all major decisions should also be made by the host organization, in consultation with South Asia Foundation and the World Scout Bureau, Asia Pacific Regional Office and no unilateral decisions be made by anyone party.

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6.

All members of the National Scout Organizations taking part in the SAF Scout Friendship Camp shall complete the SAF membership form prior to the camp and shall be submitted to the SAF national Chapter.

7.

The venue and the date of holding the SAF Scout Friendship Camp shall be recommended by the joint meeting of all the Chief Commissioners of the SAARC region and endorsed by SAF and APR jointly.

This Memorandum of Understanding is signed on 10th January 2005.

Sd/Abdullah Rasheed Regional Director World Organization of the Scout Movement Asia-Pacific Region on behalf of the National Scout Organizations of South Asia

Sd/Madanjeet Singh UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Founder, South Asia Foundation (SAF)

__________________________________

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Activities of SAF chapters during the year 2009

SAF – AFGHANISTAN

Madanjeet Singh Cultural Heritage Training Institute 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.

View of the Audience

The subjects taught in this training course were Archaeology, History of Art and Civilization, Museology, Epigraphy, Numismatics, Ceramicology, and Historic Periods that were taught briefly by the trainers from the Kabul University and related institutions to a number of 22 young trainees from institutions including the Institute of Archaeology, National Museum of Kabul, and Cultural Heritage Preservation Department. 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 Archaeology, 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. A total number of 18 trainees from different concerned departments of the Ministry of Information & Culture were selected and taught by eight professional trainers.

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2nd session of Madanjeet Singh Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute. SAF Afghanistan Chairperson Prof. Omara Khan Massoodi, 4th , front row from right to left.

Admissions to various Madanjeet Institutes were held with group scholarships at Pondicherry University (MA in South Asian Studies), Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, BFA programme at School of Visual Arts, BNU, Lahore, Ph.D Programme at Institute of Kashmir Studies at Kashmir University, Srinagar, etc.

SAF Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships Pondicherry University SAF-Afghanistan made its efforts to announce SAF Madanjeet Singh Scholarship on MA in Pondicherry University for the year 2009. After receiving the applications and CVs, SAFAfghanistan arranged an evaluation and interview to select two best candidates. Two candidates who were BA were selected. They are: Mr. Mohammad Sharif and Mr. Rahmatullah. SAF-Afghanistan arranged their visa and travel preparations, and they successfully got enrolled in their classes. Asian College of Journalism SAF-Afghanistan announced two scholarships for Asian College of Journalism for 2009-10 in Chennai, and received lot of applications and CVs but no female candidates CV or application was received. After short listing and interview of some qualified ones and finally through an English Language Evaluation test, two best candidates were nominated. They are: Mr. Mohammad Naim Poia and Mr. Mohammad Ali. They could get their visas and flew to India to join the Asian College of Journalism. School of Visual Arts SAF-Afghanistan also announced SAF Madanjeet Singh Scholarships for BA in Arts in BNU Lahore, Pakistan and received many applications and after receiving their portfolios, and

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English Language Test, finally short listed two successful candidates, one male and one female candidate. After receiving their invitation letter from BNU of Lahore, Pakistan, they got their student visas and travelled to Pakistan to join their classes. Institute of Kashmir Studies Though received information about M.Phil/ PhD programmes at the Institute of Kashmir Studies, Srinagar, in August 2009, unfortunately no candidate could be selected for the programmes as yet. SAF-Afghanistan Secretary, Mr. Raufi Obaidullah Zaki, participated in SAF Annual Governing Council Meeting in New Delhi, India in November 2009 in which he was introduced to all SAF Secretaries, and came up with very fruitful information regarding SAF activities and future planning and programs.

SAF-BANGLADESH

SAF-Bangladesh Advisory Board Meeting The 14th meeting of the Advisory board for SAF Bangladesh chapter was held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 chaired by Dr. Kamal Hossain, Chairperson, SAF-Bangladesh chapter at the Vice Chancellor’s office, BRAC University. Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury, Ambassador Farooq Sobhan and Mrs. Khushi Kabir, Members and Mr. Obaidullah Al Zakir, Secretary, SAF-Bangladesh were present. The Board approved the Minutes of the 13th Meeting. The Chairperson and Professor J R Choudhury introduced the new Secretary Mr. Obaidullah Al Zakir to the Board. The Board decided that the Secretary shall prepare a distribution list for Kashmiriyat, SASIA Story and SASHIAR Golpo. It was noted that during 2008 Madanjeet Singh Scholarships were only granted to two candidates: one male and one female for the Beaconhouse Institute of Fine Arts. But the Bangladeshi candidates didn’t cope with the programme. They might have adjustment problems and apparently their inadequate knowledge in English made it difficult for them to cope with the course. They also had complained about their being handicapped due to unfamiliarity of Urdu, which affected their interaction with teachers and students. Upon considering these matters, it was decided that these experiences should guide the selectors in formulating procedures for selection and preparation of candidates through appropriate courses in the English language, which is administered by BRAC University for students needing such improvement for their language skills. It was also decided that a renewed approach should be made to the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, which had offer at least two scholarships in the past for extending the same facility this year. The students from Bangladesh have greatly benefited from their course. It was discussed that BRAC University in its Institute of Governance Studies, offer a course in investigative journalism, it was urged that scholarships be granted to appropriate candidates from the regions to avail of this course. It was urged that special effort should be made to see if from among the Salma Sobhan Fellowship Programme candidates, who are female journalists working in the districts could be found and given

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special training in English in order to enable them to avail the course in the Asian College of Journalism. As a new initiative it was suggested SAF-Bangladesh chapter shall seek to promote an exchange programme between educational institutions in the region so that teachers and students may exchange visits for periods of one or two semesters as this would promote better understanding in the region at the people-to-people level.

SAF Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships

Asian College of Journalism (ACJ) It was decided by Dr. Kamal Hossain, Chairperson, SAF–Bangladesh that Mr. Mahfuz Anam, Member, SAF-Bangladesh and Editor, The Daily Star shall review all applications for the SAF Madanjeet Scholarship on postgraduate diploma 2009-1010 in Asian College of Journalism. Out of 34 applicants, Mr. AKM Moinuddin Ahmed, staff correspondent, United News of Bangladesh and Ms. Shahnaj Pervin, staff reporter, Janakantha have been selected.

Beaconhouse National University (BNU) A number of 07 (Seven) applicants were interviewed for the SAF Madanjeet scholarship postgraduate programme in Visual Art Studies at Beaconhouse National University (BNU), Lahore, Pakistan. Ambassador Farooq Sobhan, Member, SAF Bangladesh, Mr. Rafi Haque, General Secretary, Society for Promotion of Bangladesh Art and Mr. Obaidullah al Zakir, Secretary, Bangladesh were the members of the interview Board. Mr. Tamim Bin Imdad, Lecturer, Drawing and Printing, Institute of Arts, Sylhet who has all the necessary qualifications has been selected for the Masters programme. Another student was interviewed in Chittagong interested to join the programme, but his English is very poor. If he is able to improve his English he may be nominated. To get at least one student for the undergraduate programme, Ambassador Frooq Sobhan has spoken some of the English medium schools which offer Art as an A level subject, but it seems that the parents are reluctant to send their children to Lahore at this point. He talked to Mr. Rafiqun Nabi, the Principal of the Institute of Fine Arts, Dhaka University to find a first year student with a reasonable command in English willing to go to Lahore.

Pondicherry University A number of 05 (five) applications were received for the SAF Madanjeet scholarship for twoyear postgraduate course at the Centre for South Asian Studies, Pondicherry University, India. Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury, Vice Chancellor, BRAC University and Member, SAF-Bangladesh and Dr. Abdur Rob Khan, Associate Professor, North South University interviewed the candidates. Mr. Abu Salah Md. Yousuf , Research Officer, Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies and Ms. Tanzia Anjum were selected for the 2009-10 programme. A print ad was published in the Daily Star and the Prothom Alo for the SAF Madanjeet Scholarship programme.

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Kashmiriyat reprinted in Bangladesh In addition to the Hindi and Urdu editions ‘Kashmiriyat’ is also under print in Bangla and English edition by the University Press Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The book will be ready for distribution by November 15, 2009.

Kashmiriyat reprinted in Bangla as Kashmiriyana

It has been decided that the book will be distributed among the chairpersons/guests of Annual Governing Council meeting to be held in New Delhi, India, from 20-24 November, 2009. South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS) A progress report was presented with regard to the South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies (SAILS). The Institute has been registered under the Societies Registration Act. Its inauguration was held on 13th October, 2008 in the Spectra Convention Centre in the presence of Ambassador Madanjeet Singh and the former Chief Adviser and Chief Justice Mohammad Habibur Rahman. On this occasion Professor Deepika Udagama,

Dr. Kamal Hossain, speaking a dialogue on (National and Regional Institutions for the Protection of Human Rights, Challenges for Bangladesh)

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Dean, School of Law University of Colombo also participated and addressed the gathering, which was attended by judges of the Supreme Court, academicians, lawyers, member of the diplomatic corps as well as a cross section of NGO and civil society leaders. SAILS then organized, in cooperation with the French Embassy, a dialogue on "National and Regional Institutions for the Protection of Human Rights: Challenges for Bangladesh". The dialogue was addressed by the visiting French academics: Ms. Noemie Bienvenu, Legal Advisor to the National Consultative Commission on Human Rights, France and Dr. Katarzyna Grabarczyk, Senior Lecturer, University of Montpellier I, France as well as H.E. Charley Causeret, Ambassador of France; Dr. Shamsul Bari, UN Special Rapporteur for Somalia, Member, Governing Board, SAILS; Dr. Abdullah Al Faruque, Associate Professor, Chittagong University; Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh; Ms. Sultana Kamal, Executive Director, Ain o Salish Kenra and former Adviser to the Care-taker Government: Dr. Faustina Pereira. Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh: Dr Imtiaz Ahmed. Professor, Department of International Relations, Dhaka University; Dr. Kamal Hossain, Chairperson, SAILS, Dr. Sharif Bhuiyan, Acting Director, SAILS and Justice Amirul Kabir Chowdhury, Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh.

Earlier a meeting of the Academic Committee of SAILS was held on 4 April, 2008 which was attended by senior law teachers of Bangladesh, and by Professor Madhava Menon, former Vice Chancellor of National Law School, Bangalore and Founding Director of National University of Juridical Sciences, Calcutta, who is currently Chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission. It was RESOLVED that the formation of the Academic Committee would he completed, with the addition of members from Nepal and Pakistan and additional members from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and India. The Academic Committee would be entrusted with drawing up of the curricula and formulating different courses, which would be offered in the course of the year. It was noted that advertisements have been placed for the post of Executive Director, keeping in view the fact that appointment of a full time Executive Director and a core faculty drawn from the region should be given high priority. In the meantime courses of short duration between one to four weeks on specialized topics of relevance to the region could be promoted in areas such as regulatory issues in the field of telecommunications, energy and environment, and also in the area of comparative constitutional law. SAILS would, in particular, focus on role of the Constitution and the law in promoting social and economic change, as also on the strengthening of the role of the judiciary and human rights institutions, national and regional. In this background, a project had been formulated under the direction of Ambassador Toufiq Ali, who has recently retired as Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations in Geneva, after which he had served with the UNIDO in Vienna as Senior Adviser on Trade. He had also extensive experience of working with WTO and was actively involved in the Doha Round of Trade Negotiations. The Project aims to assess the impact of the Global Economic Crisis on countries of the South Asian Region and possible responses within this framework, with the initial study being centered around assessment of the impact of the global economic crisis on Bangladesh and possible responses.

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Budget, Audit, Bank Account and Project Approval The funds received by SAF as grant from the umbrella South Asia Foundation to the National Chapter has been received through a bank remittance to its Bank Account after completing necessary formalities under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947. With regard to disbursement for SAF funds, it was noted that SAF received in addition to the grant for SAILS, it also receives remittance for office administration for carrying out of certain specific tasks. It is decided that disbursements be made by cheque for meeting necessary administrative and other authorized expenses as also expenses approved and authorized for SAILS. It was RESOLVED that out of funds received for the year 2008 and 2009, US$ 50,000/- may be deposited in SAF's general account out of which US$ 35,000/- be transferred to SAILS account in BRAC Bank and the balance US$ 1,50,000/- be kept in a fixed deposit account at the best rate of interest available. It was RESOLVED that an auditor be appointed to provide audit reports for SAF and SAILS. An audit report may be obtained for the year 2008 to 2009 as early as possible. Accordingly, S.F. Ahmed & Co. be appointed as Auditors to SAF and SAILS on terms to be agreed. An MoU has been signed by Ambassador Toufiq Ali on behalf SAILS with ERG. Dr. Toufiq Ali would be the Project Director of SAILS and it is hereby RESOLVED that Dr. Toufiq Ali be hereby authorized to receive necessary payments in connection with the Project and these be made out of the grant approved for it. It was RESOLVED that SAF approves the Project referred to in paragraph 4 for support with a grant of US$ 25,000 out of the funds received for the year 2008-2009. The draft budget for the year 2008-2009 be placed for approval by the Chairman and Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury. Academic Committee (AC) Meeting of SAILS The AC meeting of SAILS was held on the 7th April 2008, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the BRAC Centre Inn. The meeting was attended by persons from the administration of SAILS as well as other professionals and academicians with expertise in their respective fields. The meeting took the form of a brainstorming session in order to derive specific recommendations for completing the institutional establishment and academic profile of the institute. Academic Committee (AC) Meeting of SAILS The AC meeting was held on 01st August, 2009 at BRAC Centre, 75 Mohakhali, Dhaka and 02 August 2009 at Chamber Building, 122-124 Motijheel, Dhaka. The following points were discussed.

 

Proposal for the appointment of Executive Director Proposal for the appointment of faculty



Appointment of Academic Committee member

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Academic council meeting of SAILS, at BRAC University Dhaka



Certificate course (i) Certificate course on “Theory & Practice of Clinical Legal Education”. (ii) Certificate course on ADR.



Curricula for Diploma Course and LL.M. Course

SAF Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships

Selected candidates for Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, India : 1) Mohammed Moinuddin 2) Ms. Shahnaj Pervin Selected candidates for Pondicherry University, Puducherry, India: 1) Ms. Tanzia Anjum 2) Mr. Abu Saleh Md. Yusuf

SAF – BHUTAN

1. Participation in Annual Governing Council Meeting Mr. Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, Chairperson of SAF-Bhutan along with Mr. Lham Nidup, Secretary SAF-Bhutan actively participated in Governing Council Meeting.

2. Visit to Gadpuri, Haryana Both Mr.Ngedup and Mr. Nidup visited the SAF-Scout camp at Gadpuri, Faridabad along with other members of the team on the 22nd November,2009 and interacted with the scouts.

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3. SAF Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships SAF-Bhutan successfully selected candidates for the different Madanjeet Singh Institutes in Pondicherry, ACJ Chennai, Kashmir University Srinagar & BNU, Lahore. The following Students were nominated from Bhutan under Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarship Scheme:

S.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Name

Institute /University

Programme

Ms. Januka Dhalal Mr. Samten Lhedup Mr. Nima Wangdi Mr. Tshering Namgyel Ms. Zuki Nima Mr. Sonam Choeda Mr. Jamyang

Pondicherry Pondicherry ACJ, Chennai ACJ, Chennai SVA, BNU SVA, BNU Kashmir University

MA South Asian Studies MA South Asian Studies Print Print BFA BFA Ph.D

SAF- INDIA

DSC Jaipur Literature Festival, January 21- 25, 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 21-25 January 2009. Organized by OSIAN and produced by Team work Productions, various authors and publishers were given an opportunity to interact with book-philes and the general public, for whom the participation was completely free of charge. The festival organizers strongly believe that South Asia can only realize its true identity and pursue cultural harmony by promoting literature, the arts and culture. The cardinal objective of the South Asia Foundation is to promote regional cooperation between South Asian communities through education, cultural interaction and sustainable economic development with the vision of establishing a common currency in the SAARC countries. SAF felt that such a festival is in consonance with its objectives, and, therefore, SAF –India contributed the organizers a sum of INR 1, 00,000. Of the many themes selected this year, oral traditions from different parts of the world were in focus. Mrs. Wendy Doniger, an American scholar of history and religion examined the relevance of narration and other “oral concepts” in Hindu literary traditions. Mrs. Arisha Sattar also spoke of oral traditions in Indian literature and performance. Various other seminars were held throughout the course of the festival week, dealing with varied issues from the art of writing, to fundamentalism in an emerging and developing economy. On January 24th evening the film, “The Oral and Intangible Heritage of South Asia “, produced by Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, was presented at the open-air theater at the Diggi Palace Garden. The film, which was made for the 60th anniversary of UNESCO showcased over forty performance artists from across South Asia, was received well by the

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participants. Over a hundred copies of “The Sasia Story”, the SAF monograph, “The Oral and Intangible Heritage of South Asia” and “This My People” (all of which are authored by Mr. Madanjeet Singh) were freely distributed. Kabir Festival in Bengaluru: 23 February to March 01, 2009 A festival of Kabir was held successfully in Bengaluru between 23rd February – March 01, 2009, 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. With intense lobbying and follow ups by the Kabir Project Team with the support from Delhi could secure visas for two Pakistani artists to lend a special cross border message of love and solidarity to the whole event. Four Kabir documentaries were screened along with the film produced by the South Asia Foundation, “The Oral and Intangible Heritage of South Asia” at the Indian Institute of Management, the National Centre for Biological Sciences, the Suchitra Film Society,1, Shanti Road Studio Gallery and the central venue of Sophia High School during the event. Along with student art exhibits and speaker sessions, it was a collaborative effort by almost 20 partner organizations. The response by the audiences and the media has been completely overwhelming. Shabnam Virmani of the project extended thanks to South Asia Foundation and particularly to Mr. Madanjeet Singh, Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar and Mrs. Syeda Hameed for the timely help and support of Rs. 5 lakhs to organize the event which made it a grand success. SAF Cultural Committee meeting, 23rd March, 2009 A meeting of the SAF-India Cultural Committee was held on the 23rd March, 2009 which was also attended by Ambassador Madanjeet Singh. Others who attended the meeting were: Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar, Prof. Salima Hashmi, Mr. Faizaan Peerzada, Mrs. Syeda Hameed, Smt. Vidya Shah, Mr. Kuldip Nayar, Mr. Kewal Dhaliwal, Dr. Kirat Sandhu, Ms. Uma Gurbaksh Singh, Mr. Hriday Pal Singh, Ms. Madeeha Gauhar, Mrs. Poonam Bhan, Mr. Kulbir Singh Suri, Mr. Vijay Dhar, Mr. Karan Khosla (Convenor). Ambassador Madanjeet Singh suggested that the theatre festival may be held in Punjab (India) as an important initiative to take forward the peace process and people to people contact among the two countries of India and Pakistan. He emphasized that organizing such events would meet the cardinal objective of SAF, regional cooperation. Participants deliberated at length in organizing such a theatre festival bringing together theatre groups both from India and Pakistan for a week long festival. It was also suggested that in organizing this festival collaboration with various theatre groups and organisations may be ensured, such as SAANJH, Punarjyot, National School of Drama, National Academy of Performing Arts, Karachi, Nanak Singh Foundation. It was also decided that further meetings of the organizing committee be held at Amritsar to work out the modalities of the proposed theatre festivals. Ambassador Madanjeet Singh suggested that Prof. Salima Hashmi (Pakistan) and Dr. (Mrs.) Syeda Hameed (India), would jointly coordinate the planning and organizing the theatre festival. It was later agreed that this festival be called “SAF Peace Festival 2009” and held in Preet Nagar and Amritsar for a week in October 2009, its inauguration being held in Preet Nagar.

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Conference on “Women of South Asia: Partners in Development”

A two day Conference was organized by Jamia Milia Islamia in collaboration with Indian Council for Cultural relations (ICCR) and South Asia Foundation (SAF) on 30th & 31st March 2009. Keynote address “Women, Micro-Credit and Poverty Alleviation” was given by Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate, Bangladesh on the 30th March. The participants were drawn from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, besides India. The Inaugural Session welcome address was given by Prof. Mushirul Hasan, VC, Jamia Milia Islamia and a special address by Ms. Syeda Hameed, Vice-Chairperson, SAF-India, and Member of Planning Commission. Prof. Veena Sikri introduced the Keynote speaker and the conference. Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammed Yunus, Managing Director of Grameen Bank is one of the campaigners for introducing SAARC passports. The Grameen bank has nearly 8,000,000 borrowers and 97% are women in Bangladesh with micro credit system. SAF-India made a contribution of Rs. 600,000 for the conference.

South Asia Foundation Documentation and Information Centre (SAFDIC)

The SAFDIC, located at the SAF- India premises in New Delhi, houses over 7400 volumes, primarily on South Asia. SAFDIC was inaugurated on 31st August, 2001 by Dr. Man Mohan Singh. A reading room with internet and photocopying facilities provide scholars with a valuable resource centre. The areas covered are: Social and natural sciences, international relations, security, literature, culture, human rights, environment, gender education, health science, technology and peace studies. The SAFDIC also subscribes to several journals and magazines. The library facility is used by research scholars of the neighboring universities. SAFDIC is a member of DELNET library network.

SAF Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships

Pondicherry University Selected candidates under Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarship for the Academic Year 2009-2011 S. No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Name

Country

Mr. Mohammed Sharif Mr. Rahmatullah Ms. Tanzia Anjum Mr. Abu Saleh Md. Yusuf Mr. Samten Lhedup Ms. Januka Dhalal Mr. Kankipati Rajesh Ms. Sneha Chotai Mr. Tenzing Sherpa Mr. Phurba Tenzing Sherpa Mr. M I L De Zoysa Ms. Deepanjalie Abeywardana

Afghanistan Afghanistan Bangladesh Bangladesh Bhutan Bhutan India India Nepal Nepal Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

Gender M M F M M F M F M M M F

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Asian College of Journalism SAF students for the Year 2009 – 2010 S.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Name Wendy Sanchia Brown Thulasi Muttulingam Shahnaj Pervin Mohammed Moinuddin Nima Wangdi Tshering Namgyel Mohammad Naim Poia Mohammad Ali Phul Kumari Rai Rahul Giri Vinaya Vilas Deshpande Prashanth Radhakrishnan

Gender Female Female Female Male Male Male Male Male Female Male Female Male

Stream New Media New Media Radio Radio Print Print New Media Radio New Media Television Television Print

Country Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Bangladesh Bangladesh Bhutan Bhutan Afghanistan Afghanistan Nepal Nepal India India

Kashmir University: Ph.D Programme S.No 1 2 3 4 5 6

Name

Country

Gender

Mr. Jamyang Pasang Sherpa Mr.Raja Nazakat Ali Khan Ms. Nadia Meher Din Prasad Dharmasena Mallika Appuhamillage Samanthi Raveendra Sanjeevi Manthrirathne

Bhutan Nepal Pakistan Pakistan Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

M M M F M F

School of Visual Arts, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore Mr. Ehtisham Azhar Chesti was nominated from Srinagar and he has since joined the course at School of Visual Arts, BNU, Lahore.

Academic Activities of SAF Institute of Kashmir Studies during 2009 1. It was reported in the last annual report of the SAF that Institute of Kashmir Studies has been established under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 21st August 2007 between South Asia Foundation and the University of Kashmir. During the year under the review the Institute of Kashmir Studies organised several seminars/ workshops/ extension lectures/ symposia in addition to the research programmes. Students admitted to the programmes from the SAARC countries were given Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships.

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Prof. M. Khawaja, Prof. Riyaz Punjabi, Vice chancellor Kashmir University, Gyan Peth Awardee Prof. Rahman Rahi, and G.N Gouhar displaying the Book Kashmiriyat.

Keeping in view of the Vision and Mission of the Institute, its activities are not confined to the campus alone. To realize the objectives of the Institute the faculty has been actively engaged in delivering lectures and attending Seminars / Workshops and Conferences at various educational, cultural and socio-religious institutions throughout the country. New SAF-India Secretary of Advisory Board Following the resignation of Mr. Karan Khosla from SAF to pursue his higher education on 31st August, 2009, Mr. P.K.Prabhakaran took over as Director of Operations from Mr. Karan Khosla. He is designated as secretary of SAF-India Advisory Board.

Shuhul Taap-Kashmiri Cultural Festival Mr. Prabhakaran from SAF participated in the Annual Cultural festival, Shuhul Taap, organized by the Kashmir Educational, Culture and Science Society at Pamposh Enclave, New Delhi. The program witnessed a number of cultural events like the santoor recital, Sufi Music, Mushaira, Painting exhibition etc. during 26th &27th of December. SAF Publications Kasmiriyat in English, Hindi & Urdu were freely distributed to the participants along with the UNESCO Madanjeet Singh Prize 2009 brochure for the Promotion of Tolerance and NonViolence. Articles/Media Reports Award of Degree of Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) to Shri Madanjeet Singh, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador & Founder SAF was reported in The Hindu dt 21.03.09 Launching of the book Kashmiriyat narrated by Madanjeet Singh under the patronage of UNESCO Cultural Sector, Paris was reported in The Hindu dt 24.03.09 Article written by Ambassador Madanjeet Singh The Economic dimension of national Security was published in The Hindu dt 22.09.09

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Bridging the chasm: the SAF peace festival, an article written by Dr. Syeda Hameed, Vice Chairperson, SAF-India in The Hindu dt 11.10.09 Culture, business ties can help bridge divide, was reported in Hindustan Times dt 15-10-09. Euro-like currency mooted for SAARC nations was reported in Hindustan Times dt 18-10-09. Four day film Fest begins reported by Express News Service dt 19-10-09. Saanjh peace festival concludes Hindustan Times Correspondent dt 19-10-09. An article by Dr. Syeda Hameed was published in Hindi, Nayay Path dt. 25-10-09. Belgian, Pakistani bag UN prize for promoting Gandhian ideals, reported in Times of India dt 27-10-09. Nai Duniya Story - An article published in the Urdu newspaper on Ambassador Madanjeet Singh and SAF, dt. 01-11-09. Nai Duniya Story - An article published in the Urdu newspaper on the publications of Ambassador Madanjeet Singh dt. 01-11-09. SAF calls for single SAARC Currency, an article published in Times of India, Kolkata, India dt 07-11-09. SAF peace festival concludes in Amritsar reported by Pakistani folk singer Sain Zahoor. Article written by Ms. Syeda Hameed on the Peace Festival appeared in the Hindu dt 01.11.09 and in Sunday edition of Daily Nawan Zamana, Jalandhar in Punjabi on 08.11.09 A book review Article of Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar on the book Making Sense of Pakistan by Farzana Shaik is published in Biblio. September-October 2009 Article written by Mr. Ajay Kanchan in The Tribune dt 21.12.09 on Upholding Human Values where he described Ambassador Madanjeet Singh as “Mandela of South Asia”. Article written by Ambassador Madanjeet Singh South Asian Agenda for Jammu & Kashmir was published in The Hindu dt 29.12.09 Interview by Simran Sodhi, Foreign Editor, with UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh on Focus is on Institutions of Excellence was published in The Statesman dt 05.12.09 An article by Dr. Syeda Hameed on the SAF Peace Festival held at Amritsar and Preet Nagar was published from Jalandhar in the Punjabi Newspaper Nawan Zamana dt 08.11.09 UNESCO released a Brochure on the occasion of UNESCO- Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence award ceremony on 16 November 2009. Wide coverage for UNESCO- Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence, was given by the Pakistani press in the article published in Jang Press, Islamabad, Pakistan dt. 17.11.09 The Book Between Dreams and Realities written by Prof. Sartaz Aziz and published by Oxford University Press was released by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh,

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in a function held at SAF-India Office, New Delhi was covered in an article in Jang Press, Islamabad, Pakistan dt. 02.12.09. SAF- MALDIVES Appointment of New Chairman and Secretary of SAF-Maldives Chapter Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, special envoy of the President of the Republic of Maldives, has taken over the new Chairman of SAF-Maldives chapter this year. It may be noted that Mr. Zaki was the chairman of SAF-Maldives from its very exception except for a brief interregnum. Mr. Ahmed Hamdhan has been appointed as the new secretary of the SAF-Maldives Advisory Board this year. Both Mr. Zaki and Mr. Hamdhan participated in the Annual Governing Council Meeting and other events held at New Delhi from 21st to 23rd November, 2009. Visit of Ambassador Madanjeet Singh to Maldives 

Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Founder-SAF, visited Maldives in the month of October 2009. He visited the Maldives College of Higher Education where he met with Mr. Hassan Hameed (Rector, Maldives College of Higher Education), Mr. Asim Abdul Sattar (Dean, Maldives College of Higher Education) and Mr. Abdul Rasheed Ali (Dean Faculty of Arts).

On 12th October 2009, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Abdullah Saeed, Chief Justice of the Maldives (Supreme Court) and discussed the selection of lawyers and law teachers to be trained in Dhaka, Bangladesh at the South Asian Institute of Advanced Legal and Human Rights Studies, supported by the South Asia Foundation.

From right to left :Uz. Abdullah Saeed, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Maldives; UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, SAF Founder; France Marquet, SAF Trustee; Ahmed Hamdhan, Secretary of SAFMaldives.

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

The same day, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh attended the Advisory Board meeting of the SAF-Maldives chapter, presided over by Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki with the participation of Dr Mausooma Kamaldeen (board member of IGMH), Mr Ahmed Asif, Director General, the President’s office, Mr. Aminath Najeeb, Director, Public Broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Ahmed Hamdhan, Secretary of SAF Maldives Chapter and representatives of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Abdullah Nazeer Deputy Minister, Mr. Hassan Hameed, Rector, Maldives College of Higher Education, Mr. Asim Abdul Sattar, Dean, Maldives College of Higher Education and Mr. Abdul Rasheed Ali, Dean Faculty of Arts.



On 12th October, 2009, Ambassador Madanjeet Sigh, visited H.E. the President of Maldives, Mr. Mohammed Nasheed. After a brief introduction to the philosophy and achievements of the Foundation, the proposal of establishment of an Institution of excellence on Environment and Global Warming was discussed. The President welcomed the idea of the establishment of an Institution of excellence on Environment and Global Warming at Male, Maldives.

From left to right : His Excellency President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives with UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, SAF Founder and Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki, SAF Maldives Chairperson.

SAF Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships School of Visual Arts, BNU, Lahore SAF-Maldives chapter has nominated two candidates for the Foundation year of the School of Visual Arts and School of Architectural Design at Beacon House National University, Lahore. The two students were Ms. Fathmath Maisha Adam and Mr. Ahmed Rifhaan. They are currently in Lahore studying at the University.

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SAILS, Bangladesh SAF Maldives chapter would send two nominees to SAILS, Bangladesh. Nominations of students are in the process. It is carried out by Supreme Court of the Maldives. Meeting of the SAF Governing Council At the meeting of the Governing Council held in New Delhi, following was discussed and agreed upon with reference to SAF-Maldives 

SAF-Maldives chapter may appoint Vice-Chairman on the lines now agreed for all the chapters.



The draft MoU for the proposed Institute on Environment and Global Warming be finalized and submitted to the Founder, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh.



It was agreed that SAF-Maldives should open a bank account.



The SAF-Maldives may actively involve for the SAF Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships in the nomination of students to various Institutes of Excellence.

 The consensus was that the Institutions of Excellence may send the electronic tickets to the selected candidates.

General 

Mr. Ahmed Hamdhan interacted with the Maldivian scouts along with the chairpersons and other dignitaries during the visit to SAF-Scouts Camp at Faridabad on 22nd November, 2009



SAF-Maldives has also distributed the book written by Mr. Madanjeet Singh under the title “Kashmiriyat” throughout the Maldives.

SAF-NEPAL

Activities of SAF-Nepal in 2009 1) Chairperson of SAF-Nepal chapter Dr. Rita Thapa handed over the budget for the full implementation of 42 SAF Madanjeet Singh scholarships for 18 months of ANM training to Dr. Devi Prasad Ghimire, Vice-Chairman of the Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training (CTEVT), Nepal on 22nd February, 2009. Likewise another 40 scholarships will be implemented by Himalayan Health and Education (HHE). For this purpose, SAF-Nepal, in close cooperation with the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) and the two partner organizations such as the CTEVT and the HHE, has been selecting students from the dalit and janjaati communities of the19 poorest districts of rural Nepal.

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

Dr. Rita Thapa with all the 40 ANM students

2) On the occasion of the birthday of the SAF Founder, SAF-Nepal in partnership with the Taal Musical School initiated 15-months music training for children of victims of Nepal’s conflict in Kathmandu. Altogether 20 children, both boys and girls, will receive training in violin and flute at the Taal School.

Children at the Taal Musical School

Nepal PM, Mr. Prachanda receiving Kashmiriyat from SAFSecretary Mr. Nischal Pandey

3) On April 29th a collection of books on constitutionalism, federalism, rule of law, democracy and secularism were handed over to the Speaker of the Legislature Parliament (Constituent Assembly). These books were donated by Ambassador Madanjeet Singh on behalf of SAF. These have been kept for the benefit of the parliamentarians at the parliament secretariat library in Kathmandu.

4) Secretary of SAF-Nepal Mr. Nishchal N. Pandey, a well known Nepali academic and author has been handing over ‘SASIA Story’ and ‘Kashmiriyat’ wherever he visits as part of his participation in international seminars and talk programs. Recently he handed over the ‘Kashmiriyat’ to Ms. Nina Shea, Director of the Hudson Institute in Washington D.C and to Dr. Paul Moorcraft, Director of the Centre for Foreign Policy Analysis, London, and Mr. Prachanda, the PM of Nepal.

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SAF Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships The following students were selected for studies under Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships at different Institutes of Excellence.

Pondicherry University 1. Mr. Tenzing Sherpa 2. Mr. Phurba Tenzing Sherpa

Asian College of Journalism 1. Phul Kumari Rai 2. Rahul Giri Institute of Kashmir Studies 1. Pasang Sherpa School of Visual Arts, Beaconhouse National University 1. Mr. Aneesh Parsad Lohani 2. Mr. Koshal Kumar Hamal 3. Ms. Pratima Thakali

SAF-PAKISTAN

Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships at School of Visual Arts, BNU BNU, since its inception, has been fortunate in having the opportunity to welcome students from all the eight SAARC countries to join its Art Studies program. The cultural diversity provided by their presence enriches and enlivens the academic milieu. Sharing the learning experience with young people from other parts of the region has helped in building enduring friendships. School of Visual Arts has taken the initiative to encourage the study of growing complexities of our visual culture. SVA through the Madanjeet Singh Art Scholarships celebrates diversity, and promotes artistic inquiry and creative expression across South Asia. Currently there are 26 students from 6 SAARC countries studying at BNU in the BFA program. Four new students from Afghanistan, one from Bhutan, two from Maldives have joined BNU this year. A student each from India and Sri Lanka are expected to join BFA program at SVA. SAF graduates who have returned to their countries are making their mark regionally and internationally. They keep in touch and are part of the family. Rafi Peer Theatre Workshops extended their participation in the SAF-Peace Festival 2009. More than 90 artists and others actively interacted and performed in the recently concluded Peace Festival held at Preet Nagar and Amritsar. Unfortunately due the recent disturbances

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in Pakistan, a Paint in event scheduled at Wagah border as part of the Peace Festival could not be held.

Participation in the Annual Governing Council and Heads of Institution meetings Prof. Salima Hashmi participated in the annual Governing Council meeting at New Delhi The Heads of Institution meeting on 22nd was attended by Prof. Sartaj Aziz and Prof. Salima Hashmi. The MoU of MISAA, Lahore was also signed on the 22nd November, 2009. List of Current SAARC Students- 2009-10 S.No 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Name

Country

Mr. Saleem Abbas Mr. Abdul Manan Mr. Moeed Ahmed Ms. Sofia Shahid Ms. Romaisa Fawad Ms. Saima Abaidullah Mr. Hafiz Haroon Rauf Mughal Mr. Shahzad Hassan Ghazi Mr. Fahad Hameed Ms. Fozia Saleem Ms. Hanifa Alizada Ms. Masoma Rezai Ms. Kubra Khademi Mr. Sher Ali Mr. Tamimur Rehman Popal Mr. Ghulam Mujtaba Wardak Ms. Zuki Nima Mr. Sonam Choeda Mr. Ethisham Azhar Chesti Ms. Fatimath Maisha Adam Mr. Ali Rifhan Mr. Aneesh Parsad Lohani Mr. Koshal Kumar Hamal Ms. Pratima Thakali Mr. Janaka Senevirathna Mr. Chirantha A. Kuruppuarachchi

Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan Afghanistan Afghanistan Afghanistan Afghanistan Afghanistan Afghanistan Bhutan Bhutan India Maldives Maldives Nepal Nepal Nepal Sri Lanka Sri Lanka

Gender M M M F F F M M M F F F F M M M F M M F M M M F M M

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, September 2009. Mehreen Murtaza has won the Gasworks Art Residency in London and so the list of Madanjeet Singh Art Scholarship student achievements grows year by year.. It has been a very rewarding and fulfilling experience to have done one's bit towards bringing young creative people together to hone their skills and make the concept of peace in South Asia a tangible one. This has been possible through SAF vision and generosity.

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SAF- SRI LANKA

Report of the SAF-Sri Lanka Chapter - 2009 The activities of the SAF-Sri Lanka Chapter saw a lull in the years after the demise of Hon. Lakshman Kadirgamar, its first Chairperson, in 2005 Thereafter Hon Mangala Samaraweera , the new Minister of Foreign Affairs was appointed as Chairperson at the end of 2006. During his tenure several discussions were held with relevant Ministries, Officials and Architects along with the Advisory Board Members, to work on the proposal of a Cultural Center for the region, partly funded by SAARC and the Government of Sri Lanka and which SAF was considering to part fund as the possible Institute of Excellence for Sri Lanka However this project did not come through due to several reasons. In 2008, Madam Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Former President of Sri Lanka was invited by the Founder Trustee to head the Sri Lanka Chapter.

SAF Madanjeet Singh Group Scholarships The Sri Lanka Chapter continues to give wide publicity to the SAF - Madanjeet Singh scholarship programmes annually so as to attract the best possible candidates. The following students were selected for studies during 2009-2010 Pondicherry University 1. 2.

Mr. M I L De Zoysa Ms. Deepanjalie Abeywardana

Asian College of Journalism 1. 2.

Ms. Wendy Sanchia Brown Mr. Thulasi Muttulingam

School of Visual Arts, Beacon House National University 1. 2.

Mr. Janaka Senevirthna Mr. Chirantha a. Kuruppuarachchi

Institute of Kashmir Studies, Srinagar 1. 2.

Mr. Prasad Dharmasena Ms. M.A.S.R.S Manthrirathne

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Up to now SAF-Sri Lanka chapter nominated 10 students at ACJ –Chennai, 6 students at School of Visual Arts, Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, with one awaiting visa for the intake this year. Two students have commenced their MA programme in South Asian Studies at the Pondicherry University Two students who have been selected for the Institute of Kashmir Studies to pursue Ph.D Programmes in South Asian Studies are awaiting their Visas.

Founder, SAF, Ambassador Madanjeet Singh’s Visit to Sri Lanka It was a great pleasure to have H E Madanjeet Singh and Mme France Marquet on a very brief visit to Sri Lanka on 13th October 2009. A very fruitful meeting was held with the Board Members, where the Chairperson of the Chapter outlined the situation regarding the Chapter and the need for an institute or a short term programmes to be approved for Sri Lanka, such as the educational and cultural work shops for the young people of the region as proposed by her at the meeting of The Board of Governors held in Srinagar last year. Accordingly next morning, before the departure of Ambassador Madanjeet Singh and Mme France Marquet for Delhi, Dr Roland Silva, Chancellor and Prof. Malik Ranasinghe, ViceChancellor of Moratuwa University met with them. The Vice-Chancellor stated that as a meeting of the Moratuwa University Council is scheduled on 4th November, he would submit a MoU draft on the model of the MoUs that SAF has already signed with other institutions of excellence. Ambassador Madanjeet Singh invited Prof. Ranasinghe to personally bring the draft MoU to Delhi so that it could be placed for the approval of SAF Governing Council meeting in New Delhi on 21 November 2009. The Founder Trustee informed of the re organization of the SAF programmes and the reasons for doing so. He asked the Chapter to put up a proposal for an Institute of excellence at the meeting of The Governing Council to be held in Delhi in November this year. The Chapter is looking forward to being actively involved in promoting the ideals of SAF through an Institute of Excellence based in Sri Lanka The annual Governing Council of the SAF was attended by the SAF-Sri Lanka Secretary, Ms. Swinitha Perera. -:o:-

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