Indian Armenians
The new manager of ACPA faces administrative challenges
Azad-Hye Special
On 05 April 2009, His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, gave his permission for Reverend Father Khoren Hovhannisyan
to be reinstated as a clergyman of the Armenian Church.
Father Hovhannisyan (baptismal name Nshan) was defrocked in 2002 for
willfully deserting spiritual duties, but after showing regret he was
accepted back and appointed as Manager of the Armenian College and
Philanthropic Academy (ACPA) of Calcutta (Kolkata) and parish priest
of the Armenian community of India.
Currently, the College, which holds historical significance for the
Armenians in Asia and worldwide, has about 80 students, mostly from
Iran, Iraq, Armenia and India, with several Indian and expatriate
teachers.
`ACPA has a rich historical past and is one of the oldest educational
institutions in the Armenian Diaspora. Today it continues to strive
forward with enthusiasm and energy. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, the
newly appointed pastor of Armenians in India and the Manager of ACPA –
together with the Church wardens of the Armenian Holy Church of
Nazareth have not spared any effort to upgrade this historical
institution of Kolkata’, emphasizes a recently issued press release
by the school management.
This year, eight students from ACPA have obtained their school-leaving
certificate (see photo). Six of them enrolled in leading schools in
Kolkata for further studies and the remaining two returned to their
families in Armenia.
According to some reports, the management of the school did not
provide the necessary support for the rugby team this
year. Participation in the local games was not allowed until the last
moment. This created negative impact on the students. The rugby team
has a history of achievements (see and old and new photo of the rugby
teams).
Another report states that several teachers who have served the school
in the last few years have been forced to resign and were replaced
with local teachers.
The alumni – school administration relations are not always in good
terms. Many of ACPA graduates occupy high positions in their careers
worldwide and continue to support the school, morally and financially,
with a great sense of commitment. They always raise issues related to
the school, but it is rarely that they feel satisfied when they visit
their old school. Besides the poor living conditions, the students
lack specialized guidance for their educational, social and emotional
needs. Funds are available, but are rarely spent on their vocational
trainings and other aspects that can improve their academic life.
The children of ACPA need all the moral support they can get. The
methods used in the school are not pedagogical. The students are
constantly threatened to be sent back home (where in most cases war
and uncertainty prevail).
Until 2005, Sonia John ruled the school with semi-authoritarian
approach. Father Oshagan Gulgulian, a member of the Etchmiadzin
Brotherhood, was appointed in 2005 as head of an interim school board
to govern the activities of the College and rectify problems caused by
the old management. He managed to resolve some of the pressing issues.
Students and staff at ACPA Kolkata, 2009
During his tenure, the 300 years celebrations related to the Saint
Nazareth church took place and Karekin II, Catholicos of All
Armenians, visited India with a large group of pilgrims from all over
the world, including ACPA graduates. They visited the Armenian
monuments in several places in India, as far as Chennai
(Madras). Several monuments were renovated on this occasion and
prayers were heard in abandoned structures. There are some indications
that not all renovation work was of good quality. Works in the Madras
church complex for example were carried on hastily, to meet the
celebration deadline.
Many of our Diaspora establishments suffer from discontinuity. As soon
as a new administrator is appointed a new page is opened, often
without taking into consideration the old experience.
Our community life is a combination of laymen and clergymen working
together in a well defined roles, sharing duties and
responsibilities. If the balance is shifted, then one of the sides
will abuse its authority. This has happened in ACPA in the past and
may repeat itself, if the local Armenian society is not effectively
involved in the community life.
The upcoming community elections in November 2009 could be a good
opportunity to create a new atmosphere. Reports, however, indicate
that two wardens (Susan Reuben and Sunil Sobti) have submitted a
petition in the Calcutta High Court in September 2006 and subsequently
received judgment in 2008, according to which an amendment to the
scheme governing the Armenian Church has been accepted by the
Court. The amendment disallows people holding non-Indian passports to
serve on the Church Committee and rules that only those who are exempt
from receiving financial aid from the Church and who have been
residing in Kolkata for the last 4 years have the right to vote and be
elected.
Since more than two thirds of the tiny community receives financial
aid and others have foreign passports, voting and electing rights are
practically left with a handful of Indian Armenians (about 15 persons)
who will keep the governance amongst themselves. The chief accountant
of the Church Committee is in close relationship with them.
Most probably, Etchmiadzin is not aware about this scenario, that can
endanger the future of ACPA and other Armenian properties in India.
There are children in Iran, Iraq and elsewhere who yearn for a chance
for education. The well-known Melkonian Educational Institute had a
role to play in educating the European and Middle Eastern Armenian
students and ACPA has a similar role in Asia. The lessons derived from
the closure of Melkonian should help us make the best use of ACPA.
Until this happens, we would like to ask the Catholicos of All
Armenians not to consider India as a place for pilgrimages only. ACPA
has been functioning without interruption for 188 years. `The doors of
ACPA are always open to welcome the Armenian students’ says a press
release. Let us work together to guarantee the continuity and best
implementation of this pledge.
Photos:
Upper-left photo: The anniversary of the establishment of the Armenian
College and Philanthropic Academy of Calcutta (ACPA) was marked on
Founder’s day, 02 April 2009.
School children celebrating Vartevar
Eight students have obtained their school-leaving certificate in 2009
The Most Rev. Lucas Sirkar, the Catholic Archbishop of Kolkata meets
Fr. Khoren Hovhannisyan, the pastor of Armenians in India and the
manager of the Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy at the
former’s residence on 13th July 2009
The most recent rugby team 2009
One of the older rugby teams
ACPA address:
Armenian College
56B Mirza Ghalib Street
Kolkata 700 016
Tel: (91-33) 4010-9051 / 2229-9051
Fax: (91-33) 2227-5869
E-mail: [email protected]
Very Rev. Father Khoren Hovhannisyan, Manager
Rev. Father Avetis Hambardzumyan, Administrator
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