Armenian community of Kolkata celebrated RA Independence Day

PanARMENIAN.Net - The 150-member Armenian community of Kolkata got 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.



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, Times of India reported.