27.01.2017

In the Cherished Memory of H.E. Alexander M. Kadakin  (1949-2017)

The International Roerich Memorial Trust (IRMT) has suffered an irreparable loss. On January 26, 2017 at the age of 68 H.E. Alexander M. Kadakin, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of India, the esteemed Vice President and life-long Trustee of the IRMT, passed away.

A significant part of his life passed in India, the land he has always considered his karma-bhoomi, the destined place of work. He served in 1971 and 1972–78 as probationer, attaché, and third secretary of the Embassy of the USSR in India, New Delhi; in 1989-1993 as Minister–Counsellor (DCM) of the Embassy of the USSR/Russia in India, New Delhi; in 1999-2004 and 2009-2017 as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of India. This patriarch of Russian diplomacy had a number of Government decorations and titles including the Order of Honour (2009) and the title of the Honoured Diplomatist of the Russian Federation (2004). His profound knowledge of Hindi and Indian subcontinent resulted in more than 50 publications both in India and Russia.

It is highly symbolic that his sad demise happened on the date when India was proclaimed a Republic, in the year when we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic relations between Russia and India and the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the IRMT.

Having been a close and trusted friend of Dr. Svetoslav Roerich, Mr Kadakin became his attorney in the noble task of founding the International Roerich Memorial Trust becoming alongside Svetoslav Roerich and Devika Rani one of the creators of this organization meant to preserve and promote the heritage of the Roerich family in India.

He was also appointed by Svetoslav Roerich as the life-long Trustee and Vice President of the IRMT.

Since its inception in 1992 Mr Kadakin has been closely associated with the IRMT supporting its development and cultural activities, actively participating in the meetings of the Board of its Trustees and being an invariable Chief Guest of its annual festivals.

He has always dreamt of developing the International Roerich Memorial Trust into a world-class museum and cultural centre that would be one more link between India and Russia. His unceasing efforts resulted in the gradual transformation of the dilapidated Roerich estate into a vibrant museum complex and one of the major tourist attractions of Himachal Pradesh.

In the memory of this great friend of India a condolence meeting of the IRMT Indian and Russian staff was held on January 27, 2017 at 1 pm. At the meeting Mr. Ramesh Chander, Indian Curator, IRMT, spoke of Mr Kadakin’s contribution to the development of the IRMT and honoured his memory with the minute of silence.