UNESCO chief saddened by passing of Madanjeet SinghListen /
The passing of Madanjeet Singh, an Indian diplomat dedicated to promoting mutual understanding and peace in South Asia, is a loss to all people across the world.
That's what the head of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova, says in a statement issued on Monday.
The 88-year-old veteran diplomat who passed away in France on Sunday following a stroke, was known for his efforts to promote tolerance and mutual understanding worldwide.
In recognition of those efforts, in 1995 the Executive Board of UNESCO established the Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence.
The decision was taken to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the birth of Mahatma Gandhi.
In 2000, Madanjeet Singh established the South Asia Foundation as a youth movement to promote sustainable cultural, educational and economic development throughout the region.
In November of the same year Mr. Singh was designated as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
UNESCO's Director-General Irina Bokova says the agency has lost what she calls "a true friend and great supporter."
Derrick Mbatha, United Nations.