INDIAN CULTURAL DAYS in Tavush

Continuing the tradition of taking the group photo exhibition “India through the Armenian Lens” to the different cities of Armenia «Indo-Armenian Friendship» NGO in association with the Embassy of India organized the exhibition in Ijevan, Tavush marz (region).  

The exhibition is a part of “Indian cultural days in Tavush” program dedicated to the 66^th anniversary of Indian Independence. The opening ceremony started on 9^th of August at “Vernatun” galleri, Ijevan. This time the exhibition was not only including the photo collection of previous exhibitions but also paintings of two Armenian artists Vardan Avetyan and Vladimir Soghomonyan under a different group exhibition titled "Mystic reflections of India".

The distinguished guests of the opening ceremony were Ambassador of India in Armenia, Dr. Suresh Babu, Vice-Governor of Tavush region Mr. Levon Sargsyan, Mayor of Ijevan Mr. Vardan Ghalumyan and chief of department of Culture at the municipality of Ijevan Mrs Lilit Ghalumyan. 

The opening speech was given by Lusine Toroyan genral secretary of «Indo-Armenian Friendship» NGO. She presented the purpose of organizing the exhibition and welcomed all guests on behalf of the president and vice-president of the NGO Mr Rananjay Anand and Mrs Ruzanna Ashughyan.  

Thanking the organizers for initiating the project “Indian cultural days in Tavush” the distinguished guests mentioned especially the necessity of organizing more and frequent events dedicated to the friendship of the two respective countries. 

Afterwards the audiences were invited to the Cultural House of Ijevan where in the framework of the project Indian films of various genres will be screened with Russian dubbing.

The events will continue till the 15th of August – India’s 67^th Independence Day.

The program is supported by the Embassy of India in Armenia, Municipality of Ijevan and Ijevan wine-brandy factory.

Armenia Celebrates India’s 65th Independence Day

PRESS RELEASE

The Celebration of India’s 65th Independence Day in Armenia took place on August 15, at 10 o’clock in the morning at the India House- the official residence of Indian ambassador in Armenia.

Armenian Hindi Students singing 

India's National Anthem "Jana Gana Mana"

The Independence Day of India is celebrated on the 15th of August to commemorate its independence from British rule and its birth as a sovereign nation in 1947. The day is a National Holiday in India. The celebrations take place all over the country as well as outside its borders.

 

Here in Armenia there became a tradition for Indian embassy to celebrate this national holiday far from India. Yesterday on August 15 at 10 o’clock in the morning the Embassy of India in Armenia cordially invited IAF executive team members and other guests to India House-his official residence in Yerevan.

IAF Executive Team Members 

with Hon Indian Ambassador

The ceremony of flag hoisting took place in the green and sunny backyard garden. While H.E. Mr Achal K. Malhotra was hoisting the Indian Tri-Color flag bursting with rose petals, the Amenian Students of Yerevan Humanitarian Institute studying Hindi were singing the national anthem of India "Jana-Gana-Mana" followed by another Hindi song performed by the students of Galik College in Ijevan.

Hon. Ambassador of India H.E. Achal K. Malhotra 

hoisting Indian National Tricolor

Mr. Ambassador read the speech of the President of India H.E. Smt. Pratibha Devisingh Patil on the eve of the 65^th Independence Day at New Dehli on August 14, 2011.

Hon Ambassador presenting 

India President's Speech

Among the invited guests there were all IAF executive team members,  Indians working and studying in Armenia as well as Armenians having social and cultural relationship with India.

After the official part of the Day guests were invited to have light refreshments, discussing different news both from India and Armenia, exchanging the impressions and experiences of different spheres of intercultural life.

The IAF Solidarity

Embassy of India organized an Evening of Film show and IAF Conference in Yerevan

By Nelly Manucharyan

11 July, 2011 - 18:30 - 21:30

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Nairi Hall, Hotel Ani Plaza, Yerevan, Armenia

The Embassy of India in Armenia recently held the evening of Film show followed by Indian Armenian Friendship group (IAF) Conference and some cultural programs, which included dance show (Indian and Armenian) and Tabla Play. Chief Guest was Ambassador of India in Armenia H.E. Mr. Achal Kumar Malhotra.

The program of the event consisted of two parts: first part included documentary film show about ”Terrorism in contemporary world”,  presented by the Embassy and second part was the presentation of the Armenian Indian Friendship group’s creation history and future visions, presented by the founder of the group- Mr. Rananjay Anand.

During the first part of the meeting Ambassador of India in Armenia H.E. Mr. Achal Kumar Malhotra spoke about the harmful and dangerous causes of the terrorism in contemporary world, and the efforts which should be made to prevent the expansion and development as well as its harmful impact on our generation. Mr. Ambassador also congratulated IAF members on the building of the cultural bridge between Armenia and India and the solidarity of two countries that it can develop in the future.

  

H.E. Mr. Achal Kumar Malhotra, Hon. Ambassador of India to RA, 

addressing the IAF members
(Please Click here for Speech video)

During the second part of the Evening Mr Rananjay Anand , the founder of IAF, introduced to the audience the "Society for Promotion of Global Understanding" (SPGU) and its ARMENIA CHAPTER "Indo-Armenian Friendship NGO". He spoke about the missions and visions of the future NGO.

IAF Co-Founder & President Mr. Rananjay Anand

introducing IAF to its members

The participant’s attention was invited to 2 special editions of Namaste India magazine released by Embassy of India. 1^st one is a collection of love stories from India translated into Armenian. 2^nd one is a collection of poems for little children written by Prof. Anita Verma and translated into Armenian by Hripsime Nersisyan and illustrated by Andranik Asatryan’s paintings.

Prof. Anita Verma

Two Special Editions of NAMASTE INDIA

The cultural programs of the evening presented dance show of India and Armenian national dances, each dance pictured the beauty of Armenian and Indian women’s world. 

First performance was an Indian dance performed by an Armenian professional dancer Gayane. The dance is called “Nimbudah” which means a small lemon. It’s one of traditional songs of Rajastan State,  well known from a movie  "HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM" The film heroine sings to  her loved one about lemon and asks him to  bring the lemon so that the lemon would save them both from evil and jealous people.

IAF Solidarity

Next performance was an Armenian national folk dance performed by an Armenian beauty Mariam Azizyan. The dance is called “Bardavari” or “Vardavari”. It was performed by Armenian women since ancient times all over historical Armenia showing the grace and the gentleness of the Armenian woman. 

Dancers Mariam (Left) & Gayane (Right) with Hripsime

And finally the audience had an opportunity to get in touch with Indian miracle – the music of Tabla, by Armenian Tabla Player Karen. An armenian who spent most part of his life - almost 30 years practicing hatha yoga. Moreover he plays an Indian national instrument Tabla for more than 25 years. His passion led him to Moscow where he started learning Tabla playing from 7 Gurus at the embassy of India in Moscow.

Armenian Tabla Player Karen, mesmerizing IAF audience with his musical magic

At the end of the meeting one of the participants, famous Armenian-Indian singer Radhe Shyam (original name Dustrik Babayan) expressed her grattitude for the meeting and her will to present a song to IAF co-founders. She performed a Hindi song called "Chura Liya Hai Tumne Jo Dil Ko."

Women are True Source of Inspiration & Solidarity for IAF

By Rananjay Anand

IAF Co-Founder Ms. Ruzanna Ashughyan in a deep discussion with Indian Ambassador in Armenia H.E. Mr. Achal Kumar Malhotra and Armenian Ambassador in India H.E. Mr. Ara Hakobyan

This Women's Day is something special for IAF and its members. When I gave a thought to the management structure of IAF, it was quite pleasant to know that IAF is backed, loved, supported and managed by majority of women. In fact let me confess something to all of our admirers and readers very candidly that the very root of  creation for India-Armenia Friendship is absolutely inspirational. IAF is existing and ever growing strength to strength,  ONLY because of a great lady who inspired me to take this challenge head-on and she is the inspiration to take it to its final destination. I'm sure, IAF will be proved as a milestone between Indo-Armenian People to People connection. It has already created a positive vibe all around in such a manner that people can feel it near them. They can sense the closeness of each other...So far, but so close to each other.

Even after its creation, IAF is blessed with the WOMEN POWER as we can observe that it's managed by majority of women, all capable of changing the world. Truly proving the quintessence "To See The Change, Be The Change!". They have become a change and subsequently encouraging their opposite sex to come forward and join them in their JOURNEY to make India-Armenia Relationship to the greatest strength. Especially Women from Armenia has taken the charge in their own hands to make Armenia a great prosperous country and on this occasion let us assure them that their struggle will not go unnoticed. We all are with you. We will build India-Armenia together. Together we can, and together we will!

The Indo-Armenian Women Solidarity

My dear Ladies, my salute and greatest respect to you all on a day which marks your strength, accomplishments, Prosperity and Inspiration for us. Wish you all a great International Women's Day.

Armenia celebrates Republic Day of India with great zeal!!

Each year, 26th January is a day on which every Indian heart fills up with patriotic fervor and immense love for motherland. There are many significant memories as it was this day when the Indian Tricolor was first unfurled in January 1930 at Lahore, by Pt Jawaharlal Nehru and the declaration of an independent Indian National Congress was made.

26th January, 1950 was the day when the Indian republic and its constitution came into force. It was this day in history in 1965 when Hindi was declared as the official language of India.

 PIC 1: Republic Day Parade on 26th January

Republic Day is celebrated every year with much enthusiasm all over the country and to mark the importance of this occasion, a grand parade is held in the capital, New Delhi, from Raisina Hill near the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House), along the Rajpath, past India Gate and on to the historic Red Fort.

 

 Not only in India do Indians celebrate the Republic Day but also all over the world wherever they have embassies and communities. Here in Armenia the celebrations began early in the morning at the residence of ambassador of India to Armenia. The ceremony of flag hoisting took place in the cozy backyard garden. While H.E. Mr Achal K. Malhotra was hoisting the Indian Tri-Color showering with rose petals from inside the flag, the Armenian Students of Yerevan Humanitarian Institute studying Hindi were singing "Jana-Gana-Mana" the national anthem of India. After this  Mr Ambassador read the annual speech of the president of India Mrs Pratibha Devisingh Patil to the invited guests: Indians working and studying in Armenia as well as Armenians having good relationship and attachment to India. This was followed by impressive lines from famous patriotic poem by Ram Avatar Tyag read in Hindi by the students of YHI. What impressed me most was that all Indians being present were singing the anthem so wholeheartedly and were exclaiming proudly and solemnly "Jay Hind". 

PIC 2: Flag Hoisting by Ambassador to Armenia H.E. Mr. Achal Kumar Malhotra

But the celebrations didn't end at this. There was a big reception in the evening at Ani Plaza Hotel. Many politicians and artists, businessman and friends of India were invited.

At one corner of the hall the guests could get introduced to photo presentation desk "India-Armenia throughout the eyes of  the lense". A special edition of NAMASTE (Indian monthly magazine being published in Armenia) was prepared on the occasion of 62nd anniversary of the Republic of India. In this edition, Armenians can find Indian tales and stories translated into Armenian.

The chief guest of the evening was the prime minister of Armenia, Mr Tigran Sargsyan. The ceremony began with national anthems of India and Armenia. Then H.E. Mr Achal K. Malhotra had a speech marking the importance of the day. “Currently, India is a democratic state, which takes care of equal development and prosperity of its society,” the Ambassador said. Speaking about the relationship between the India and Armenia also noted for his part that the two countries’ leaders intend to expand the trade and economic ties. He added that India’s economy managed to record 9% growth under conditions of the global crisis.

PIC 3: Prime minister of Armenia Mr Tigran Sargsyan
& H.E. Mr Achal K. Malhotra with his wife

Mr. Tigran Sargsyan congratulated the people of India on behalf of the Armenian government and himself, wishing peace, prosperity and new achievements in all fields. Being a cradle of ancient civilizations India has made spiritual and intellectual contribution to world’s cultural heritage and is contributing to modern processes, he stressed. Mr. Sargsyan said that modern India continues making an important contribution to the cultural development of the world. He added that preservation and development of good traditions between the two peoples is among duties of the Armenian and Indian governments.

The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the Indian government for the programs implemented in Armenia.

“Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan’s expected visit to Delhi will serve as a new impetus for boosting the bilateral relations,” said Sargsyan.

After official part Mrs Anita Verma, a lecturer of Hindi in Armenia was invited to stage to introduce the cultural part of the reception. As every ceremony or event in India the cultural part also started with Vandana performed by 3 pretty Indian Student of Yerevan State Medical University. Vandana was followed by another magnificent performance: Dance Play for Hanuman Chalisa by Andranik Asatryan, an artist and student of State Institute of Theater and Cinematography. The performances were completed by a Sari show and wedding ceremony. Here we witnessed the perfect combination of Armenian beauty in Indian national dresses. These were students of Yerevan State Linguistic University after V. Bryusov studying Hindi. 

 PIC 4: Dance Play for HANUMAN-CHALISA performed by Andranik

PIC 5: Sari Show by Students of Yerevan State Linguistic University

PIC 6: Indian Wedding Ceremony Show

The event was completed by reception of Indian cuisine: diverse and incredible as India it is.