YEREVAN. – Armenia is a second home for ethnic Indian Jeysankar “Jey” De, for whom likewise Mount Ararat is of very great importance. 

“I love Ararat very much; I yearn to see Ararat every day,” he says.  

The love story of Armenian botanist and ecologist Lilit Vardanyan and microbiologist Jeysankar De started in 2002. They first met in Goa, India, where they worked together. But they became more intimate during Lilit’s last week of stay in India. Lilit returned to Armenia, but she kept in touch with Jey over the phone and via Internet.      

Their second meeting was in February 2004. And in December of the same year, Jey came to Armenia, met with Lilit’s parents, and asked for her hand in marriage. Lilit’s parents, however, needed some time to accept the idea of having an Indian son-in-law. Jey’s parents were not against having an Armenian daughter-in-law.     

Jeysankar and Lilit have a 7-year-old daughter, Sophie. She does not speak Hindi, but she is very fond of Indian dances.  

Sophie’s parents have decided not to force her in the matter of choosing her religion. They will let her make that choice once she becomes an adult.   

Lilit prepares the New Year’s table according to Armenian traditions, but she always cooks Indian food, too.   

Jey notes that the New Year is celebrated much better in Armenia than in India.