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Indian Armenians set to celebrate Independence

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  • Indian Armenians set to celebrate Independence

    Indiatimes

    Kolkata

    City Armenians set to celebrate independence
    TNN 20 September 2009, 06:26am IST


    KOLKATA: This weekend is special for Armenians in the city. The 150-member
    community is getting together to celebrate the independence day of


    Armenia (September 21) over the weekend. After centuries of struggle
    first with the Ottoman Empire and then with erstwhile USSR the
    Republic of Armenia finally won independence in 1991.

    The Armenians came to Kolkata as traders more than 400 years ago. The
    community flourished so much that they even started lending money to
    East India Company. It is even said that the Battle of Plassey was
    fought by the British with Armenian money. There was a time when the
    number of Armenians in the city exceeded 30,000 but only 35 families
    remain today.

    The community's new spiritual head in the country, Father Khoren
    Hovhannisyan, has been planning grand celebrations with key members
    for the past five months. His efforts have resulted in the revival of
    Armenian Club that had been lying defunct for long. Hovhannisyan also
    heads Armenian College, the only institution of its kind in the city
    that caters to the needs of Armenian children sent here from their own
    country.

    Armenian Club at Queen's Mansions was established in 1921 by racing
    magnate J C Galstaun. As the community started dwindling with many
    migrating to the US, Australia and Europe, interest in the club
    waned. Though there are about 150 Armenians in the city, the club has
    only 14 members.

    "We want Indian Armenians to interact more closely and share a better
    community life. We hope to make a start when the entire community
    gathers at the club for a special blessing and prayer service on the
    eve of the Armenian Independence Day on Sunday," Father Hovhannisyan
    said.

    http://timesofindia.indiatimes .com/news/city/kolkata-/City-Armenians-set-to-cele brate-independence/articleshow/5032250.cms


    Visit us www.armeniancollege.in
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