Trip to Lastiver

In continuation of annual tradition, on 13th of September, 2015 Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO organized a trip to the gorgeous Lastiver with IAF members and Staff of Embassy of India to Armenia.




Lastiver is in Tavush Marz (region) of Armenia, nearby Yenokavan village, 10km from the regional ceter of Ijevan. The village is located at a height of 1,000-1,300 meters, surrounded by hills, and close to a forest-covered gorge about 100 meters deep that ranges for about 5km.

On the way to Lastiver the group visited Sevanavank Monastery at Lake Sevan. Sevanavank Monastery is located in Gegharkunik region, which is popular in Armenia due to its possession of the blue pearl of Armenians, Lake Sevan. There are two churches on the peninsula of Sevan. These two churches were built in 874 AD and together form the Sevanavank Monastery. According to an inscription found in the territory, the monastery was built by Armenian princess Mariam, daughter of Ashot I, who later became the king of Armenia and the founder of Bagratuni dynasty. Sevanavank is one of the 30 churches that Princess Mariam vowed to build in the memory of her husband. King Ashot I, in his turn, presented six villages and gardens in the territory of today’s Garni and Yerevan to the monastery.

The trip continued by bus till Yenokavan village from where 3 km long trekking started to Lastiver. The weather was foggy and cold, but trip's participants were still in quite joyous mood. They were singing, telling some funny stories till they reached the "heart" of Lastiver. At the caves a marvelous landscape welcomed everyone: the waterfalls of Lastiver, which is considered to be the wonder of nature in Armenia.

Lastiver Cave is hard to access on a cliff face, and the entrance has been partially protected with an ancient wall. There is a pond taking up most of the cave, which water level is supposed never to change - even if you remove water it immediately returns to its previous level.

At the river, which has beautiful cascades and rapids, there is a campground built, with amenities. Walking around the Lastiver one establishes mental contact with nature which cleans the negative emotions from the body. After having lunch, spending some time at the waterfall and discussing the future plans of the NGO, participants started their journey back to Yenokavan village. It was mostly hiking and more adventurous, sometimes even dangerous.

Although the smallest member of our group was enjoying it the most.

The group had a great day full of many memorable moments.

1st Indo-Armenian Friendship Chess Tournament

1 st Indo-Armenian Friendship Chess Tournament was organized by Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO on March 29 at Yerevan State Medical University after M.Heratsi, supported by the Embassy of India to Armenia, Medical University and University’s students council between Indian and Armenian students.

As decided by IAF this tournament will become an annual event of IAF Sports Club.

The tournament was attended by H.E Ambassador of India to Armenia Mr Suresh Babu, the rector of YSMU Mr. Mikayel Narimanyan, Vice-Rector for External Affairs and International Partnerships Mr. Yervand Sahakyan.

In their speech they they outlined the importance of Chess for the stronger relationship between India and Armenia, considering that Chess is very popular in these two great nations. They welcomed the participants and wished them good luck in the tournament.

 Two teams competed during the tournament playing 4 games (each team consisted of 10 people). And the team which would have more points at the end of tournament had to win. After the 4 games Armenian team was declared the winner. The tournament was judged by the trainee and referee of Chess Academy Mr Roma Akopov.

The inauguration of the students with the silver and gold medals and certificates will be held later at YSMU.

It is to be noted that the game of Chess was invented in ancient India and is quite popular in India and Armenia It has become even more popular in the last few decades primarily due to chess Grandmasters of both countries. In Armenia Chess has been introduced as school subject in order to develop the skills and mental strength of the future generation of Armenia considering Chess as “Mind Game” or “Game of Strateg”.

IAF congratulate the winners of the event. This will prove to be a bridge which creates strong Indo-Armenian Friendship.

Bollywood back in Armenia

From 26 to 28 of March Armenians had the chance to appear one more time in the magic world of Bollywood. We had the pleasure to invite everybody to enjoy Indian films in the framework of “Bollywood back in Armenia” project.
The screening was organized in collaboration with the Embassy of India to Armenia and Mr. Davit Bejitashvili from Georgia, and took place at Moscow cinema. 
The screening included 3 films:

• DHOOM 3 Stars: Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Abhishek Bachchan 
• OMG - Oh My God Stars: Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Mithun Chakraborty 
• EK THA TIGER Stars: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Ranvir Shorey 

The opening ceremony started with the welcome speech of Ms Lusine Toroyan, who on behalf of Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO welcomed all the guests, representatives of the diplomatic core in Armenia, expressed gratitude to the Embassy of India to Armenia for the continuous support and to Mr David Bejitashvili and called upon everyone to enjoy the movies.

Everyone were happy expressing their gratitude for the organization of such kind of event and hoping to see in the future more projects which promote Indian culture to Armenia and vice versa.

Publication launch - "INDIA: NEW VISION, NEW VIGOUR"

To commemorate 65th Anniversary of Republic Day Of India, Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO  in association with Embassy of India, Yerevan, Armenia launched an 84 Page Publication titled "INDIA: NEW VISION, NEW VIGOUR".

 The official launch of the publication was done by Hon. Ambassador of India Dr. Suresh Babu on 26th January at Hotel Marriott, Yerevan, during the state reception organized by Embassy of India to celebrate 66th Republic Day of India.

Among the eminent invited guests were ministers and their representatives from Govt. of Armenia, Foreign Diplomats in Armenia from different embassies and friends of India and Armenia.
You can go through the online version of the publication which tries to showcase new INDIA.
It also includes message from Hon. President of Armenia H.E Mr Serzh Sargsyan to Hon. President of India H.E Mr. Pranab Mukherjee.

The publication encompasses majority of works, initiatives and other activities executed by IAF and Indian Embassy in Armenia.

The publication can be shared with your friends through Facebook, Twitter, Email and other online media.

So please enjoy reading and share with us your feedback.

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Հնդկաստանի Հանրապետության Օրվա 65-ամյակի կապակցությամբ Հայ-Հնդկական Բարեկամություն հասարակական կազմակերպությունը  Հնդկաստանի Հանրապետության դեսպանատան հետ համատեղ հրատարակել են  84-էջանոց «Հնդկաստան՝ նոր տեսլական, նոր եռանդ» վերնագրով ժողովածու:

 Ժողովածուի պաշտոնական շնորհանդեսը կատարել է  Հայաստանում Հնդկաստանի Հանրապետության դեսպան Դոկտոր Սուրեշ Բաբուն հունվարի 26-ին, Երեւանի Մարիոտ հյուրանոցում Հնդկաստանի Դեսպանատան կողմից կազմակերպված պետական ընդունելությանը ժամանակ, որը նվիրված էր Հնդկաստանի Հանրապետության 66-րդ Օրվան:

Ընդունելությանը ներկա էին ՀՀ նախարարներ և ՀՀ կառավարության ներկայացուցիչներ, դիվանագետներ՝ Հայաստանում տարբեր երկրների դեսպանատներից եւ Հնդկաստանի եւ Հայաստանի բարեկամներ:

Այստեղ ձեզ հնարավորություն է ընձեռնված ընթերցելու ժողովածուի օնլայն տարբերակը, որը մի փորձ է ներկայացնելու Նոր Հնդկաստանը:

Այն նաև ներառում է Հայաստանի Հանրապետության նախագահ Ն.Գ. պրն Սերժ Սարգսյանի ուղերձը Հնդկաստան Հանրապետության նախագահ Ն.Գ. պրն Պրանաբ Մուքերջին:

Ժողովածուն ներկայացնում է նաև Հայ-Հնդկական Բարեկամություն հ/կ-ի և Հնդկաստանի դեսպանատան կողմից իրականացված աշխատանքները, միջոցառումներն ու այլ ծրագրեր:

Ժողովածուն կարող են ներկայացնել նաև ձեր ընկերներին Facebook-ի, Twitter-ի, էլ. փոստի եւ այլ սոցիալական ցանցերի միջոցով:

Սիրով հրավիրում ենք ձեզ ընթերցելու ժողովածուն և կիսվելու ձեր կարծիքներով:

Indian Classical Music Concert In Yerevan

CONCERT POSTER

To celebrate the mystic magic of Indian Classical Music, Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO (IAF) in cooperation with Embassy of India to Armenia organized an Indian Classical Mandolin Recital Concert on 9th October in Yerevan. The recital, which took place in the city’s famous Arno Babajanyan Concert hall, was performed by the World Renowned Mandolin Maestro Pandit Sugato Bhaduri (www.sugatobhaduri.com).  Pandit Bhaduri was also accompanied by Mr. Indranil Guha, who performed on the Tabla. 

Audience

The performance, which lasted a little less than two hours saw enthusiastic attendees from all walks of life, some from whom even remained standing for the entire program as the venue, which has a capacity of 300 people, was jam packed with many standing audience too.  

Audience

Tabla Accompanist Sri Indranil Guha

Mandolin Maestro Pandit Sugato Bhaduri 

The program was well orchestrated by IAF Secretary General Ms. Lusine Toroyan who on behalf of IAF President welcomed all participants, audience, and other stakeholders of the event. The concert was opened by H.E.  Dr.Suresh Babu, Ambassador of India to Armenia, who was the chief guest of the evening.  

  

Those in attendance were more than glad to be introduced to such enchanting Indian classical music. Many in Armenia know Indian music mainly through Bollywood, which unfortunately doesn’t depict the true richness of Indian Music to its viewers.

In just 1 hour and 45 minutes the two musicians rectified the misconceptions an average Armenian has for Indian music, thus introducing them to a new world of  true Indian classical music.

“This is the other side of Bollywood you have not yet listened to”, said Pundit Sugato Bhaduri while addressing his audience. 

Armine Sargsyan, who attended the program couldn't agree more. “Whatever we heard and experienced that evening was indeed the opposite of Bollywood music as, it was like trance”, she expressed in admiration. 

 

The event was well supported by Karma Indian Restaurant in Yerevan and 'Maharishi Vedic Center' Educational Foundation. 

 IAF thanks the Indian Embassy, Karma Indian Restaurant, Maharishi Vedic Center and all those who attended the event for making it a grand success. IAF look forward to different stakeholders for their cooperation in our future programs too.

Team IAF and performing artists  along with 
Hon. Ambassador of India in Armenia Dr. Suresh Babu

A HIKE TRIP TO MOUNT ARAGATS: COMMEMORATING 68TH INDEPENDENCE DAY OF INDIA

To commemorate 68^th Independence Day of India, Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO (IAF) in collaboration with Embassy of India to Armenia organized a Hiking Trip to scale Mt. Aragats, which is the highest Mountain peak of Armenia.

Aragats, the highest mountain in contemporary Armenia, is a single extinct volcano with a crater, that has become an Ice Basin (About 400 m deep). This extinct volcano has formed 4 peaks; the northern peak is 4090m above sea level; the western, eastern and southern peaks are 4080m, 3916m, 3879m high respectively.

Mt. Aragats is also famous for its beautiful mountain lake KARI. It’s located 3250m above sea level having perimeter of 1150m.

While reaching the base-camp of Lake Kari, one can see the Tent-Homes of  Armenian Yezidis at different places in mountain range. According to one opinion, Yezidis are believed to be descendents of Indian Hindus.

It took almost 8 hours to complete the hiking trip from base camp to mount summit and back.

The whole team felt proud when they captured the victory moment of the group with respective national flags of both countries. 

Indeed it was a different celebration of India’s Independence Day!