India NewsletterEmbassy of India, Tel Aviv No. 57

January-March 2014

Embassy of India celebrated the 65th Republic Day of India in the residence of Ambassador Sarkar. The celebration started with Flag hoisting by Ambassador Sarkar and rendering of the National Anthem. Ambassador read out excerpts from the President's message to the nation and addressed the gathering. About

250 people, including members of the Indian community in Israel, Indian nationals, Indian students, and Indian soldiers deployed at UNDOF participated in the celebrations. The cultural programme featured young and talented Indo-Israeli singer Liora Itzhak who sang patriotic songs and a colourful and energetic Bhangra performance by Indian soldiers deployed at UNDOF.

Government of India Tourist Office (GOITO) participated in the 20th International Mediterranean Tourism Market (IMTM) in Tel Aviv with a booth and some Indian travel agents. On the sidelines of IMTM, the Embassy of India organized a Seminar on Incredible India on 13 February 2014, in collaboration with

the Government of India Tourism Office, Frankfurt. Israeli tourism market professionals, travel agents and tour operators, participated in the seminar which focused on promoting niche areas of luxury tourism, wildlife tourism, and North-East India. Speakers at the seminar included Ms. Roma Singh, Regional Director, GOITO, Frankfurt, Mr. Dani and Ms. Dahpne Raz, Editor-in-Chief, National Geographic Israel.

The Embassy of India in Tel Aviv organized a reception on the occasion of publication of the book “Bombay - Exploring the Jewish Urban

Heritage” at the Ambassador’s residence on 27th February. The author Dr. Shaul Sapir is a professor at Hebrew University and is an Israeli of Indian Baghdadi origin. The book seeks to fill a gap in the historical narrative of Mumbai's urban history and focuses on the Jewish connection to Mumbai's landscape by telling the story of Baghdadi Jews of Mumbai, more specifically those of the Sassoon family, through the buildings and monuments they built and left

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Republic Day Celebrations 2014

Embassy hosts a reception for Dr. Shaul Sapir

Incredible India Seminar, February 13, 2014

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behind. The book provides readers with insights into the architectural design of unique Jewish sites and monuments of Mumbai many of which continue to be famous landmarks of the city.

The highlight of the event was a discussion between Amb. Sarkar and Dr. Sapir followed by an interactive session with the guests. Amb. Sarkar noted that the story of the Jewish community in India is one of peaceful co-existence over many centuries during which they were never persecuted or discriminated against. Their beautiful synagogues in India testify to the strength and vigour of their religious tradition. The reception was attended by eminent members of the Indian Jewish community in Israel, academicians, officials from the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs and media.

The Indian Embassy held the première of the critically acclaimed Indian movie, The Lunchbox, in Tel Aviv on March 27. Held in association with Lev Cinema Israel, one of the largest cinema chains in Israel and the local distributor for the film, the première reception was attended by over 400 distinguished guests, including some

Members of the Knesset, diplomats, critics and sections of Israeli civil society.

Israel's Council for Higher Education held a seminar on March 31, 2014 in Jerusalem on recruitment of students from India and China, where the focus was to identify the challenges and methods to attract greater talent from these two countries to Israel. Mr. Sanjeev Singla, Counsellor & Head of Political Section, made a keynote presentation (assisted by Mr. Mahesh Kumar, Second Secretary) on the higher education system in India and the various opportunities offered by India for Israeli academic institutions. All the major Israeli higher education institutions participated in the seminar. At present, over 300 Indian students are studying in Israel at various institutions, mostly as post-doctoral fellows.

Embassy Holds Premiere of The Lunchbox

Seminar to Attract Indian Students to Israel

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Cooking India-Flying India

Embassy of India in Israel launched an Indian cuisine competition ‘Cooking India-Flying India’ during March-April 2014 the winners of which will get two return tickets and six nights’ hotel accommodation in India. Amb Jaideep Sarkar announced the competition at a special screening of the Indian film ‘The Lunchbox’ on 11

March 2014. Israeli nationals were invited to submit their favorite Indian recipes through the Facebook page of Masa Acher’s Online travel portal. After a committee reviewed the recipes received online, 20 participants were selected for the semi-finals of the competition which was held on 9 April at Lev Cinema in Dizengoff Mall. The 20 semi-finalists brought pre-cooked Indian food, which was tasted and judged by the Jury comprising Master-Chef Yonatan Roshfeld, food critic Hila Alpert and Indian Restaurateur Reena Pushkarna. Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms. Vani Rao announced the names of the five finalists, who are : Jacqueline Solomon, Yaffa Samsom, Ilanit Menachem, Orna Reuben SRK and Tamir Michael.

► Final of the Competition: The Final-5 candidates will cook at Yonatan Roshfeld's Tapas restaurant at Ahad Ha'am in Tel Aviv on 22 April following which the Jury will select the winner. The Final stage of Cooking India-Flying India will be aired on Friday, 25 April on the morning show of Channel 2’s "Bokher Shel Keshet" during which Amb Jaideep Sarkar will announce the name of the winner.

► Awards/Prizes: The winner of the competition will get 2 return flight tickets to India along with 6 nights - 7 days hotel accommodation in India. Runner-up will get an invitation for dinner for 2 people in Tandoori Restaurant, 2 Lev Cinema tickets for “Lunchbox”, a lunchbox and a NIS 300 shopping coupon from OM Indian Store.

► Partners and Sponsors of the competition: Lev Cinema Israel, Masa Acher Online, Indigo Airlines of India, Tal Aviation, Spices Board of India, Tandoori Restaurant, Om Indian Store and Government of India Tourism Office(GOITO), Frankfurt.