HimVani
Manali (May 1): Russian ambassador to India and vice-president of Roerich Trust Alexander M Kadakin today laid the foundation stone of Roerich International College of Fine Arts (RICFA at Naggar in Kullu district.
May 1 was also celebrated as the 20th anniversary of the International Roerich Memorial Trust. “ India and Russia would jointly set up and operate the college and it would be the best art college in the world,” said Kadakin on the occasion. He added that the dream of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to build an international art college in Naggar was coming true as he had sanctioned Rs 2 crore for the International Roerich Memorial Trust, out of which Rs 78 lakh was being spent to construct the college building.
Ambassadors from Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Khargistan and an Italian representative also gathered to pay homage to Roerich and his family. More than one lakh Indian and foreigners visit Naggar every year. Chairman of International Roerich Memorial Trust, Kehar Singh, said joint efforts would be made by HP government, Russian embassy and Roerich trust to generate funds for the college. He said an international committee has been constituted for the effective functioning of the college.
