At the British Embassy in Kabul, 15 violins were presented by Mr Tom Dodd, the Deputy Ambassador, to the Deputy Minister of Education The Honourable Mr Salim Qayum, who received them on behalf of the new National Music Institute of Kabul. Dr Sarmast, Project Director of the Ministry of Education, also attended. The instruments were donated by the National College of Music in London.

Tom Dodd, said "I am very pleased to welcome Mr Qayum and Dr Sarmast to the British Embassy here in Kabul. It also gives me great pleasure to hand over these instruments from the National college of Music in London to the New Music Institute.

I think music is very much the stuff of life rather than just the stuff of love. Music was repressed so much under the Taleban and now come back to be very much a feature of life for Afghanistan. I congratulate you on this initiative."

Mr Qayum thanked the National College of Music in London for the donation. "I do agree music is part of our lifestyle and we are committed to developing it."

Dr Sarmast said, "50% of our school students come from the most under privileged families. These instruments mean they will be able to practise and play and we are a definite step closer to the formation of our National Orchestra with the help of this donation."

Dr Sarmast also thanked the British Army and Royal Air Force for transporting the instruments from London to Afghanistan. The movement was organised by Colonel Robinson of 1st (UK) Armoured Division. Mr Paul Cheater, from the National College of Music in London, was thanked in his absence for providing the violins and  for his continued assistance with the development of the Institute.