"Three Centuries of Armenian Heritage in India" to be presented in NAASRMay 29, 2009 - 01:10 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Dr. Omar Khalidi of the Aga Khan Program for Islamic Architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will give an illustrated lecture entitled "Three Centuries of Armenian Heritage in India" on June 4, at the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research (NAASR) Center in Belmont, Mass, The Armenian Weekly reports.Though Armenians were in India from early times, their presence in India is well-documented from the 16th century, after the establishment of the important mercantile community in New Julfa in Persia. The community grew in size and importance in the 17th and 18th centuries, with many Armenians rising to positions of prominence. Khalidi's lecture will give an overview of India's Armenian Diasporaits churches, cemeteries, and related artin such locations as Kolkata (Calcutta), Bombay, Delhi, Agra, Surat, Hyderabad, Madras, Dhaka (in modern Bangladesh), and elsewhere. Dr. Omar Khalidi has a Ph.D. in Islamic studies from the University of Wales. This lecture is the second talk given in memory of Arshag Merguerian (1926-2005), an architect and active member and friend of NAASR for nearly 50 years. The expenses for the lecture will be covered by funds contributed to NAASR in Merguerian's memory. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | 17 bridges collapse as a result of floods in Armenia As a result of floods in Armenia’s northern Lori and Tavush provinces, 17 bridges, including five large ones, have collapsed. Armenia: Top cleric to retain title as he bids to become interim PM Galstanyan said earlier that the interim government would be tasked with stopping the “destruction of our homeland”. Ex-mayor of Karabakh capital arrested in Yerevan Ex-mayor of the Nagorno-Karabakh city of Stepanakert David Sargsyan has been arrested for 20 days. 269 people evacuated amid severe floods in Armenia’s north According to the Interior Ministry, 269 people have been evacuated from their homes in Lori and Tavush provinces. |