Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The South Asia Foundation (SAF) Nepal Chapter organized the SAF Alumni Meet in Kathmandu in the first week of December.
More than 300 alumni from SAARC member countries coming from various disciplines such as water resources engineering, journalism, green energy technology, international relations, law, development studies and forestry participated in the gathering graced by Vice President Ramsahay Prasad Yadav, according to a statement issued by SAF Nepal Chapter.
The SAF is a non-political, non-profit NGO established 24 years ago by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Late Madanjeet Singh. Late Singh was among the the first batch of students chosen directly by Jawaharlal Nehru as an Indian IFS officer who served as Indian Ambassador to many countries including UNESCO. Upon his demise in 2013 in France, the Madanjeet Singh Foundation Trust (MSF) has been managing all the scholarships.
The SAF institutions include Pondicherry University, Asian College of Journalism, Chennai and Beaconhouse National University, Lahore among others.
The UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence rewards significant activities in the scientific, artistic, cultural and communication fields aimed at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and non-violence. The Prize was established in 1995 on the occasion of the United Nations Year for Tolerance and the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.
“One of the hallmarks of the alumni meet was a South Asian Art Exhibition held at the Siddhartha Art Gallery, Baber Mahal, where the SAF alumni from the BNU presented their artworks. Prof Salima Hashmi, one of South Asia’s renowned artists who mentors the students, was also in Kathmandu along with Mr N Ram of The Hindu Group who is a trustee of the MSF,” the statement added.
Afghan artists Kubra Khademi and Hadi, who are currently residing in France, were also in Nepal to display their work.
Speaking on the occasion, France Marquet, Principal Trustee of the MSF, said the young people of South Asia are benefitting from the late Singh’s vision of an integrated South Asia and through group scholarships in various fields.
Similarly, Dr Nishchal N Pandey, Chairperson of SAF Nepal Chapter said it was gratifying to see hundreds of SAF alumni in mid-careers in their respective countries contributing to the cause of regional cooperation in South Asia.
