Israeli President unveiled Hebrew translation of book 'Indians at Herod's Gate' on Independence Day

Tel Aviv [Israel], August 16: Israeli President Isaac Herzog unveiled the Hebrew translation of the book 'Indians at Herod's Gate' written by the former Ambassador of India to the US, UK and Israel Navtej Sarna on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of its independence on Monday.

The Indian Embassy in Israel hosted an event attended by several dignitaries, including Israeli political leaders, diplomats and business leaders. Both the Israeli President and current Ambassador Sanjeev Singla gave final strokes to a painting by artist Akanksha Rastogi, marking the completion of 75 years of Independence of India. "75 yrs of vibrant & multicultural democracy! On 75th anniversary of India's Independence, Embassy of India, Tel Aviv held a reception in Tel Aviv which was graced by the Israeli President - Isaac Herzog. During the celebrations, Israeli President - Isaac Herzog unveiled the Hebrew translation of the book 'Indians at Herod's Gate', written by Ambassador Navtej Sarna. Imparting the colour of friendship! President of Israel - Isaac Herzog & Ambassador Sanjeev Singla gave final strokes to a painting by artist Ms. Akanksha Rastogi, marking the completion of 75 yrs of Independence of India," the Indian Embassy said in on Facebook. According to the Israel Hayom newspaper, Indian Ambassador Singla in a speech noted that Herzog's father oversaw the transformation of relations between the two nations. "Today we are celebrating the 75th anniversary of India's independence and 30 years of full diplomatic relations between India and Israel. Mr. President, as we are aware, it was during the presidency of His Excellency Chaim Herzog that our bilateral diplomatic ties were upgraded to full ties," Singla said as quoted by Israel Hayom. He further touted India's longstanding embrace of its Jewish compatriots. "Indeed, the civilizational bonds between India and Israel, enrich our contemporary understanding of the relations. Down through the centuries, the Jewish community has thrived in India, in harmony with other communities. And it is rare in Jewish history, that you had a long continuous period where you thrived and freedom and equality as you did in India. And I must say that we India's are proud of that. For several decades, the Indian diaspora - it's a word we learn from you - in Israel has remained a positive and industrious force supporting Israel and connecting our two countries," Singla said, according to the Israeli publication.

Meanwhile, in his video message, Prime Minister Yair Lapid said, "India is a proud democracy rooted in deep history and tradition. It is also an innovation superpower changing the world for the better. That's why Israelis love India and the people. That's why tens of thousands of Israelis visit India each year." Lapid also noted that Israel "looks forward to the next 75 and beyond. We look forward to seeing the next chapter in India is a wonderful story unfold, and we're excited to be a part of the story as a partner, ally, and friend." External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday thanked Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid for sending greetings on India's 76th Independence Day. He also expressed confidence in the ambitious vision of the India-Israel partnership. "Thank you for your warm greetings on India's Independence Day, Prime Minister Yair Lapid. Confident that our countries will realize the ambitious vision of the #IndiaIsrael partnership," Jaishankar Tweeted today. India announced its recognition of Israel on September 17, 1950.

Soon thereafter, the Jewish Agency established an immigration office in Bombay. This was later converted into a Trade Office and subsequently a Consulate. Embassies were opened in 1992 when full diplomatic relations were established. Since the upgradation of relations in 1992, defence and agriculture formed the two main pillars of our bilateral engagement. In recent years, relations have seen rapid growth across a broad spectrum of areas and the future vision of the cooperation is of a strong hi-tech partnership as befits two knowledge economies.

India is the only country wherein Israel has the position of Water Attache to help share Israeli best practices and technologies for advancements in India's water management sector.

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Vivek Agnihotri launches "Bharateeyans", Telugu writer Deen Raj's Hindi Debut

New Delhi [India], August 16 (PNN): The man who gave us the courageous film "The Kashmir Files", Vivek Agnihotri, appeared as a chief guest at the launch of the first look of this upcoming movie which ensures to celebrate Unity In Diversity, giving a new swadeshi rebranding to the word Indians, called "Bharateeyans".

The film's Teaser was out on the 13th of August, 2022; the Bharateeyans is a Hindi Bollywood Debut by the well-known Telugu writer Deen Raj who has written glorious films like Eeswar- Prabhas's debut movie, Premante Idera, KaliSundam Raa starring Daggubati Venkatesh and many more. On talking about the movie, Deen Raj said, "On the eve of independence day, I humbly pay tribute to the spirit of our great land Bharat, and proud to showcase our first look and cast from each corner of the country." Bharateeyans is being produced by a Bharat American Surgeon, Dr Shankar Naidu Adusumilli, on asking him about the movie, he said, " Bharateeyans - is close to my heart, a subject which makes me connect back with my roots and my values. It's an earnest tribute to every Indian with a solid message on Patriotism and perseverance. Vivek Agnihotri, who launched the teaser at the event, added, "I have loved the unique way the names of characters have been kept in Bharateeyans. I have always wondered if someone has the guts to do something like this; I have never had the guts to do anything like this. The cast looks fresh, nice, and passionate. I know the burden of carrying a young cast on your shoulder; I feel it's been brilliantly tackled. I love the name 'Bharateeyans,' and I feel it's the responsibility of the youth to take the country forward." This motion epic has an ensemble cast that celebrates diverse talents from varied states across the Nation, like Nirroze Putcha, Subha Ranjan, Sonam Thendup Barphunga, Samaira Sandhu, and Peden O Namgyal, and Rajeshwari Chakraborty. Bharateeyans, this mainstream Bollywood movie also has talented technicians from the south industry; Action of the film is being directed by Judo Ramu, who's known for his work in multiple industries like Kannada, Telugu, Oriya, Bengali; DOP is Jayapal Reddy Nimmala and Music by Satya Kashyap. Bharateeyans, like its title, become the First Pan India packed with talents across our Motherland and has been filmed at various locations across the Nation, including the illustrious Sikkim.

This story is provided by PNN. TC will not be responsible in any way for the content of this article. (PNN)

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Kashmiri Women Are Fighting to Keep the Centuries-Old Tradition of Papier-Mâché Art Alive

As a child, Masrat Jan, now 47 years old, would wait desperately for the month to end. That was when her mother along with her four siblings would travel to her father’s home in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, to visit her grandparents.

There, Jan was able to do what she loved most: play with colors.

Her grandfather ran a Karkhana — a workshop in which he and his workers spent hours drawing papier-mâché art, a craft where artisans mold various shapes out of mashed paper, wood, and other materials. After smoothing, or pishlawun, the objects are then decorated with different motifs.

Jan was mesmerized by the polished papier-mâché items like Santa Claus, Easter eggs, flower vases, elephants, cats and many others which would later be exported, mainly to Europe and the United States.

Papier-mâché has been practiced for centuries by Kashmiri artisans like Jan’s grandfather, who make their living from the craft. But, in recent years, just as Kashmiri papier-mâché has gained recognition in museums across the world, the renowned and beloved art has faced extinction.

The number of papier-mâché artisans has shrunk due to meager (and shrinking) wages, widespread health issues, and a lack of government support. Yet, Jan and her colleagues in Kashmir are determined to ensure the craft survives.

Papier-Mâché’s Long History In Kashmir

While papier-mâché is a French phrase (translating literally to “chewed paper”), the craft in Kashmir is traditionally dated to the 15th century, when historians argue it was introduced from Persia during the reign of Kashimiri king, Sultan Zainul Abidin.

Some historians however suggest it was actually introduced some 50 years earlier by Persian Sufi saint Mir Syed Ali Hamadani, who arrived in Kashmir in 1372, along with hundreds of his disciples and companions. Hamadani is credited with organizing the Muslim community in Kashmir and bringing along artisans who taught papier-mâché to residents of the valley.

Most practitioners, like Jan’s grandfather, learned the art from the previous generation, who can trace their roots all the way to Hamadani’s disciples.

Jan, however, only began practicing seriously at 19, due, in part, to Kashmir’s fraught political situation. In the 1980s, a violent uprising against Indian rule led to a prolonged and bloody conflict pitting Kashmiri separatists against the Indian Army; thousands of Kashmiris were killed, injured, or disappeared between 1989 and the early 2000s, according to human rights groups. The conflict forced thousands of Kashimiris inside their homes as the government enforced curfews, while separatist groups often called for days-long shutdowns in protest of alleged rights abuses by the army.

Though Jan had been focused on her studies due the insistence of her father, a government officer, she found herself newly ignited by her childhood passion once stuck inside by the curfews. By her twenties, Jan had become a master artist, capable of producing intricate scenes like the Mughal Empires courts or Kashmir’s diverse variety of animals and plants.

“This work not only earns me livelihood and respect, it is also a major source of my spiritual health,” Jan told “This place where I work is like a shrine for me and the work that I do is sort of a prayer.”

Jan’s husband, Maqbool Jan, is also a master papier-mâché artist, having won numerous national and international awards, including the UNESCO Seal of Excellence Award in 2008.

Far more typical however is Haleema, a 55-year-old woman from the Budgam district in central Kashmir. Haleema first began working in papier-mâché in her father’s factory at the age of 9. She recalls drawing a flower on a papier-mâché ball and quickly becoming a pro. For Haleema, practicing the art is a duty.

“It is not something that I do for a living, but it is something that I do as payback. I don’t want this art to die.” Haleema told, as she explained the emotional connection she has with the art.

A staunchly religious woman, Haleema was diagnosed with stage-3 stomach cancer in 2014. She said she found that the art gave her courage as she battled for her health.

“Couple of months after my cancer recovery, I started spending time on art again. But this time my focus was on mostly Islamic art,” she said. Haleema said that she primarily engraves Quranic verses and other holy names on her paper mache work now.

Despite the best efforts of dedicated artists like Masrat Jan, Haleema, and Maqbool Jan – who himself has trained over 50 practitioners – papier-mâché faces numerous challenges to its survival in Kashmir.

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