RECOLLECTING YEAR 2015: A THANKS NOTE

Dear IAF Members and Supporters,

Greetings to you all! 

One more year loaded with sweet memories and cheerful times has passed and we are sure it will continue to be more vibrant in forthcoming years too. 

Year 2015 is coming to an end today and it's been quite eventful year for IAF. We've tried our best to manifest Indo-Armenian Relationship to newer heights. However, it would not have been possible without your unconditional love & support! Let us recollect a few important events of the year here. 

We started 2015 by organizing Armenian Christmas at different locations in india through our members in that particular city or region. We organized it in New Delhi. IAF's South India coordinator Mrs. Ashkhen Khachatryan coordinated and organized the same in Chennai for whole South India. They visited the historical Armenian Church in Chennai and had Christmas Dinner. Armenian Community from Bangalore, Chennai and Puducherry joined altogether in Chennai. 

On 26th January, Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO in association with Embassy of India, Yerevan, Armenia launched an 84 Page Publication titled "INDIA: NEW VISION, NEW VIGOUR" to commemorate 65th Anniversary of Republic Day Of India.

From 26 to 28 of March, our Armenian friends had the chance to enjoy one more time the magic world of Bollywood on big screen of Moscow cinema. 

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.

Considering "Chess" as the most loved common sports between Armenia and India, 1st 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 of Indian and Armenian students. 

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

On May 26th, Medal Felicitation Ceremony to the winners of 1st Indo-Armenian Friendship Chess Tournament (29.03.2015) was organized at Yerevan State Medical University after M.Heratsi.

The awarding ceremony was attended by H.E Ambassador of India to Armenia Dr Suresh Babu, the rector of YSMU Mr. Mikayel Narimanyan, Vice-Rector for External Affairs and International Partnerships Mr. Yervand Sahakyan and the president of Chess Academy of Armenia Mr. Smbat Lputyan.

One of the biggest achievements of the year that everyone cherished. From 31st of August till 6^th of September Indo-Armenian Friendship in collaboration with ICIRLD Armenia and Havana Restaurant Complex with the support of the Embassy of India in Armenia organized  a 7 days long Cultural Festival “Days of India in Armenia”. 

 It became a festival of colors and joy, tastes and beauties, a festival of a real friendship and global understanding, a festival of new discoveries and new perceptions of real India which is beyond Bollywood. The grand opening was attended by more than 20 ambassadors of different countries in Armenia, by many representatives of very different Ministries and just by Indian culture lovers.

In November IAF in association with Yerevan Mall, organized a Bollywood Dance FLASH-MOB in Yerevan and people enjoyed it a lot. In November itself IAF joined the YSMU team and Pharaon Entertainment Complex in support with Embassy of India to celebrate the festival of lights Diwali in the name "Indian Cultural Night". It was one of the most glittering events of the year.

In December, IAF in collaboration with Embassy Of India and Media Focus Organization, organized a huge successful event: "India In Yerevan Metro" exhibition and Indian Movie Dance Flash-Mob in Yerevan Metro. It became a viral event and many people passing through Yeritasardakan Metro in Yerevan enjoyed that. 

Apart from all this, we organized many more small and medium events and programs throughout the year which is not mentioned here. 

On this note, let us take this opportunity to thank our all members for their great support. Special thanks to Embassy of India in Armenia for their continuous support to us to help us realize our all activities. Thanks to our all partner organizations, for making the huge task easier for us with their complete supprt and last but not the least..A heartfelt thanks to our IAF team which is ably and comprehensively coordinated by our Secretary General Ms. Lusine Toroyan in close-coordination with our team members Armine Sargsyan, Anna Hovsepyan, Roza Navoyan and Ani Yeremyan. Without their dedicated hard work, this all would not have been possible. 

On behalf of all IAF team members, we wish everyone a very happy and prosperous New Year 2016! 

Rananjay Anand & Ruzanna Ashughyan

Co-founders

Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO

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.

IAF co-founders meet Hon. Ambassador Designate of Armenia to India Mr. Armen Martirosyan

IAF Press Release

 IAF Co-founders Mr. Rananjay Anand and Mrs. Ruzanna Ashughyan Anand 

with Hon. Ambassador designate of Republic of Armenia to India Mr. Armen Martirosyan

Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO (IAF) co-founders Mr. Rananjay Anand and Mrs. Ruzanna Ashughyan Anand met Hon. Ambassador designate Mr. Armen Martirosyan at the Embassy of Armenia in New Delhi on 21^st May. Both of them  congratulated Amb. Martirosyan for his new responsibility as Hon. Ambassador of Armenia to India and exchanged warm greetings. 

It was an introductory "Focus Meeting" about IAF's cooperation with Embassy of Armenia in India. During their meeting, which lasted approx. one hour, IAF co-founders introduced IAF and its activities so far in Armenia and in India to Mr. Ambassador designate and shared their future plans in respective countries. They emphasized the need of being more active in India in close cooperation with Embassy of Armenia through different activities which are considered to be a long due. Amb. Armen Martirosyan welcomed the initiatives taken by IAF and assured team IAF to work together with full cooperation from Embassy of Armenia. Lots of relevant issues were touched upon from People-to-People (P2P) connection to Business-to-Business (B2B) connection in order to prioritize the list of activities in near future. 

Both parties agreed to work in close cooperation in future by involving the existing Indo-Armenian community and other relevant stakeholders in India. IAF is sincerely hopeful to see lots of activities about Armenia in India in near future.

IAF would like to extend heartiest congratulations to Mr. Armen Martirosyan on being appointed as Hon. Ambassador of Republic of Armenia to India and also wishes him a very fruitful and defining tenure in India!

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!