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THE UNITED SERVICE INSTITUTION OF INDIA  The United Service Institution of India (USI) was founded in 1870 by a soldier scholar, Colonel (later Major General) Sir Charles MacGregor. It was founded for ‘furtherance of interest and knowledge in the art, science and literature of the Defence Services.’ First housed in the old Town Hall at Shimla, in the foothills of the Himalayas, the Institution moved to the then Army Headquarters. In 1908 its own building was erected. The Institution was moved to Delhi in 1953, where it was located, till mid 1996, in Kashmir House on Rajaji Marg. The foundation stone for the new premises was laid on April 26. Its insignia has the motifs of all three armed forces in a greenish blue circle, which is surrounded by a border drawn like a belt, with its buckle at the bottom pointing downwards. The border has its name written on it. It is supported by laurels of leaves, buds and flowers on both the sides. This is crested by the National Emblem.

LALIT KALA AKADEMI To promote and propagate understanding of Indian art, both within and outside the country, the Government of India established Lalit Kala Akademi (National Akademi of Arts) at New Delhi in 1954. The Akademi has regional centres called Rashtriya Lalit Kala Kendras at Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Garhi in New Delhi and Bhubaneswar with workshop facilities in painting, sculpture, print-making and ceramics. It has sub centres in Shimla, Ahmedabad, Agartala and Patna. Since its inception, the Akademi has been organising national exhibition of contemporary Indian art with 15 national awards,. Every three years, the Akademi also organises Triennial India, an international exhibition of contemporary art in New Delhi. The Akademi honours eminent artists and art historians every year by electing them as Fellows of the Akademi. To propagate Indian art, the Akademi regularly participates in International Biennials and Triennials abroad and also organises exhibitions of works of a