The speaker of the discussion was Ashkhen Khachatryan, a graduate of YSU IB, an active member of the Armenian community in India, and the coordinator of the "Armenian-Indian Friendship" NGO for South India.

During the meeting, the formation of the Indian-Armenian community was presented, it was emphasized that today there are seven Armenian churches operating in India. 

A. Khachatryan presented interesting details about Chennai, the former Madras, which was once a vibrant Armenian community. The participants of the discussion made a remarkable journey to the pages of that forgotten history, got acquainted with the path taken and the legacy left by the prominent Armenian merchants of Madras.

It was emphasized that Armenians have not only preserved their faith, language and culture, but also played an active role in the development of Madras, becoming a unique bridge between the East and the West.

Speaking about the current Armenian community and its activities, the speaker noted that the once Armenian populated community has almost been deprived of Armenians, the number of local Armenians in India today reaches 200.

Ashkhen Khachatryan also presented how she and her husband preserve the Armenian trace in Chennai and, at any opportunity, they gladly talk about Armenia and the activities of the Armenian community in Madras, so that the locals are also aware of the centuries-old Armenian-Indian friendship.

“By learning about the Armenian traces of Madras, we strengthen our identity and cultural memory, by recognizing our past, we strengthen our present,” emphasized A. Khachatryan.