Partha Chatterjee, education minister, arrived at the concluding ceremony of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Government College of Art & Craft on Tuesday evening when the programme was almost over.

Thereafter, he spent some time at what is one of the oldest art institutes in India when Jogen Chowdhury, an alumnus and Rajya Sabha MP and a member of the advisory board of the college alumni association, took the opportunity to suggest that a new campus covering eight to 10 acres of the institute be opened. Chowdhury is at the moment preparing a scheme for the proposed new campus. "For a change we must think big," said Chowdhury.

This institute has been run for several years now by officers-in-charge instead of a principal. But now an advertisement has been put in newspapers to fill up the vacancy. Before the minister's arrival, Chowdhury was rather peeved at Chatterjee's absence and said the modern art movement in India began in Bengal but it still does not have a museum to represent the glorious tradition of its art. He regretted that art and culture were being ignored, although these are elements that build up the identity of a nation.

Ganesh Haloi, another eminent alumnus of the institute, said in the same vein that when art and culture are disregarded, it does not spell well for the country. The programme began with the felicitation of eminent art teacher and artist Dhirendranath Brahma, Uma Siddhanta and Ranen Ayan Dutta.

The son of Zainul Abedin, Moinul Abedin, was present on the occasion.

A postage stamp, a first day cover and a catalogue of the exhibition organised to mark the occasion were released. Dhirendranath Brahma was the one who did the honours.

Celebrities alone were not felicitated. The models who have been posing for students for years but still live in dire straits were not only felicitated but also given cash rewards.

A one-time grant is being considered for them.