Kolkata January 2008

New year, new travels took me back to Kolkata and it was my 4th trip in 10 months - a testament to the dedication to my research into Armenians in India.  I had a week there researching and discussing various projects with the church.  With permission, I based myself at the Armenian College. 

Whilst I was there, they had their sports day  (see photos above) which the children really enjoyed and they took a huge amount of pride in the various activities that were taking place.   I took lots of photos which I have given to Fr. Gulgulian and he has put them up on the school website.  It was particularly nice because co-incidentally an ex student, Steve Carapiet and his wife Barbara had called Fr. Gulgulian the day before to say they were in Kolkata.  Immediately Fr. Gulgulian invited them to attend the sports day, and he announced Steve as the special guest of honour.  Steve lit the flame to start the sports day, presented some winning medals and even took part in the “100m race for ex students”!  It really was such a brilliant day, and the children were flourishing.  From Steve and Barbara’s point of view, it was extremely moving and they were both very touched that they had been so readily absorbed into the days’ activities and given such a high profile.  The school band played their hearts out, and they were extremely well coached and had been dedicating a great deal of time to their music, and it showed.  They could have so easily been a professional band, you would not know.  Even more remarkable is that less than a year ago, they didn’t know one end of a drum stick from another.  When I was there is March last year, I remember them practicing on the field just with sticks and bits of wood, and 10 months later there’s a group of young professionals standing in front of me with drums beating a rhythm!

The school improvements and refurbishment programme continues at a great pace, and it is amazing to see what the junior dormitory looks like now. It has been completely redecorated in a jungle theme with large paintings of various animals and animal scenes on all the walls (see photos above).  The shower and bathing facilities are so fresh, clean and modern, all with new toilets, showers, wash basins.  Everything is fully tiled and it is all done to such a high standard.  New windows are being installed, all double glazed.   As I say, I have been out there 4 times in the last 10 months and each time I go, there is something new done or another phase of refurbishment has been started or completed.    It is truly remarkable what Fr. Gulgulian has achieved in such a short space of time, he is completely and wholly focused on the well being and development of the children and his commitment to the school is unwavering. There is so much going on that I don’t know where to start, but I would simply say that the school and the children are really very lucky indeed to have such a dedicated and committed man as their manager who genuinely puts their wellbeing before anything else.  It was quite humbling seeing how he operates and how he interacts with the children and staff. He is well thought of by the children and highly regarded and respected by the staff.  Unfortunately, he still has his detractors both inside and outside of the community who are still not convinced that he is doing a good job.  All I know, as a simple visitor to the school from time to time, is that Fr. Gulgulian, in the face of certain adversities continues on with the programme of redevelopment and progress in an unwavering and tireless fashion regardless of those who are less than co-operative, and the pictures speak for themselves.

I went over to the Davidian school, and that is also under transformation, I took pictures there too so everyone can see exactly how pro active this management team is at the two schools.  Also went to Chinsurah church for the service.  (click on Chinsurah above for photos). Again, what a fantastic place.  The refurbishments there have been very sympathetically done and the grounds are very beautiful.  The church is such a lovely little church.  Each time a service is held at one of the various Armenian churches i.e. Chinsurah, Saidabad, Tangra etc., a well rehearsed and well organized system is put in place whereby the children are transported on two buses and then there is another bus for the adults and any other members of the community who wish to attend the service.  Nothing is left to chance, and all operations are slick and organized.

The boys and girls are in good shape and happy, the school is being looked after and the whole of the staff, teachers and management as well as the Church Committee are all pulling as a team to get the very best out of the kids.  It gets better each time I see it.  The kids have got to know me now, and I was even helping one of the boys with stuff for an exam he’s got next week!  It is a lovely place to be right now.  They are lucky children indeed.

Contact Details:
The Armenian College and Philanthropic Academy (ACPA):
56B, MIRZA GHALIB ST. KOLKATA (Calcutta), India
E-mail: armeniancollege@yahoo.com
website: http://www.armeniancollege.in
 Manager: Very Rev. Father Oshagan Gulgulian