S.N.Roerich’s birthday anniversary was celebrated with bright rich program in the International Memorial Roerich Trust in Naggar (Kullu region, Himachal Pradesh, India).

Charge d'affaires of Russia in India Denis Alipov in his speech said that the Russian Embassy is considering the International Roerich Memorial Trust (IRMT) as a key project of cooperation between our countries in the sphere of culture.

"We will fully contribute to this joint project to be worthy of the memory of our distinguished compatriots and to become one of the best international centers of culture, education and science".

Denis Alipov noted that, thanks to the huge efforts of Russian and Indian curators of the IRMT, with the support of Mr. Rakesh Kanwar, the IRMT Director, head of the Kullu Administration, much progress has been made in the development of the IRMT.

Premises are being repaired, new exhibitions are opened, Art Academy for children is working. A new cultural and educational center for tourists and residents of Naggar has been opened to the birth anniversary of N.K.Roerich on the territory of the IRMT.

In the framework of the festive program there was held solemn awarding of students of children's Helena Roerich Children Art Academy (IRMT) – the winners and participants of the International Contest of children's drawings and essays - "the Color and Sound of the Roerich’s Empire" Contest, annually held by “N.K.Roerich Children Art Volosovo School” (Volosovo, Leningrad Region, Russia) with the support of the St. Petersburg Branch of the ICR and the Consulate General of India in St. Petersburg, Consul General Mr. Ashok Kumar Sharma personally.

The Contest is included in the General registry of activities of educational-methodical center of culture and art of the Committee on culture of the Leningrad Region Government and the Resource Center for support and development of creative abilities of children of the Leningrad regional Institute of education development under the Committee of General and professional education of the Leningrad region Government.

Representatives of the Russian Embassy in India Denis Alipov and S.V. Karmalito and the representative of the International Centre of the Roerichs in Moscow G. G. Tesis handed over to the winners diplomas and prizes, specially imported for the occasion from St. Petersburg. The youngest artist – the winner just turned five years old.

The exhibition of winners of the Russian contest of masters of batik painting on fabric became colorful design of the festival; it was extended on the ground in front of the theater stage.

And the wonderful exhibition of miniatures of the Kangra school artist, Vijay Sharma and the exposure of rumala executed by Chamba painters were a worthy completion of the festive events that marked October in the Roerichs’ estate and became a real festival of Russian-Indian friendship and culture.