EMBASSY OF ISRAEL - Newsletter

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August 2013 Volume V, Issue 3

WHAT'S INSIDE: Ambassador of Israel Hosts the Annual Iftar Dinner in New Delhi.

International Fertigation & Automation seminar-cum training for farmers in Rajasthan.

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Delegation to Israel.

Indian Delegation to 19th Maccabiah.

Israeli Mentalist Lior Suchard back in New Delhi.

Israeli Film Festival in Chandigarh.

AMBASSADOR OF ISRAEL HOSTS ANNUAL IFTAR DINNER IN NEW DELHIThe Ambassador of Israel, Mr. Alon Ushpiz, hosted the annual Iftar dinner for over 60 prominent

members of the Muslim community in India. Civil society figures, politicians, religious leaders,

artists, scholars, business leaders and journalists attended the Iftar dinner.

After the crowd broke the fast with dates from Israel, Ambassador Ushpiz spoke about the

ancient relationship and brotherhood between the Jewish and Muslim communities.

Ambassador Ushpiz quoted the words of the Israeli President, Shimon Peres, stating that

“Ramzan is not only a holiday for you, but a celebration to all of us. After all, we are coming

from the same family - the family of Abraham (Hazrat Ibrahim)”.

He added that “It is important to remember that by hosting Iftar celebration, we are not just

reaching out to the Muslims of India, but also representing the Muslim community in Israel

itself who constitute 18% of the population”.

The Ambassador concluded his words by wishing that this Ramzan brings peace and prosperity

to West Asia. He further noted that the peace talks between senior Israeli and Palestinians

leaders had finally resumed after three years of deadlock and that the two delegations had

celebrated Iftar together in Washington.

The Ambassador of Israel, Mr. Alon Ushpiz with Imam Ilyasi the Annual Iftar Dinner in New Delhi.

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FERTIGATION & AUTOMATION TECHNIQUE SUITABLE FORENHANCING FARM EFFICIENCY

An international seminar-cum training for farmers on the technique of fertigation automation that

provides cost effective manner of enhancing farm efficiency, was held in Jaipur on August 13-14.

International experts from Israel and experts from five states of India, along with some progressive

farmers from the state, attended the event that was inaugurated by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Rajasthan Government and Mekorot,

the national water company of Israel Government for use of waste water.

Prof Uri Shani, former water commissioner of Israel’s Water and Sewage Authority was the key

speaker at the Seminar. He said Israel has developed a new technique, in which sensors will

be put near the roots of the plants, which will assess the quantity of water and the required

nutrient for the plant.

Shani emphasized the need for efficiency to address increasing demand of agriculture products.

Jaipur has been chosen as the pilot district for using treated sewage water to grow vegetables

employing Israel techniques of farming. Gehlot and Israeli delegates released a book about the

modern technique on irrigation and fertigation at the seminar.

CM and Israeli delegation release a booklet at the International seminar in Jaipur.

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The delegation explored innovative technologies that could be adopted by Indian companies for

commercial ventures in India. The Indian companies also explored joint venture possibilities with

Israeli companies to manufacture and market products in India and other parts of the world.

The focus of the delegation was on India- Israel cooperation in Agriculture and water technologies,

Homeland security and IT & ITeS.

The four- day programme comprised of seminars, 1-1 meetings and field visits.

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A 30-member FICCI business delegation comprising of 24 companies, visited Tel Aviv from July

28-31, 2013 with a view to increase market access of Indian products and technologies as well

as explore emerging investment opportunities.

The Embassy of Israel, New Delhi, the Embassy of India, Tel Aviv, the Israel Export and

International Cooperation Institute (IEICI) and Israel Asia Chamber of Commerce, Federation

of Israel Chambers of Commerce partnered with FICCI to arrange B2B meetings and field visits

locally.

FEDERATION OF INDIAN CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (FICCI) DELEGATION TO ISRAEL

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The delegation comprised of representatives of small and medium sized Indian companies.

Some prominent companies of the delegation were TCS and Hi-tech Plastics, a subsidiary of

Asian Paints. It was recognized there is a necessity to facilitate greater market access for goods

and services of SMEs in both countries.

The FICCI led delegation was an effort to create an enhanced connection between mid-sized

SMEs in both countries.

The business mission is expected to strengthen

the existing India-Israel ties and yield results in forging

new relationships with Israeli business leaders looking

to expand their operations to India.

INDIAN DELEGATION TO 19TH MACCABIAH

India sent a strong contingent of 32 Participants &

Officials to the 19th Maccabiah Games which was

held in Israel during July 2013. The group competed

against 9000 Jewish athletes from more than 70

countries in 38 sports contests.

The members of the delegation won no medals but

their team did beat the Israel team at cricket.

The match was inaugurated by the incoming Consul

General of Israel in Mumbai Mr. Jonathan Miller.

The head of the Indian delegation, Samuel Marshall

has been involved with the Maccabiah since 1957 and

has participated in six games. Sam was ably assisted

by Ezra Moses and the Team Manager, Emron Samuel,

who together with the senior members of the team had

already participated in earlier Maccabiahs.

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The Indian delegation marches at the opening ceremony of the 19th Maccabiah Games. (photo credit: Maccabiah/via Facebook)

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ISRAELI MENTALIST LIOR SUCHARDBACK IN NEW DELHI

Lior Suchard can delve into your innermost thoughts and know

exactly what you are going to say even before you do. After

receiving international acclaim from members of the public,

to the best- performing CEOs worldwide and Hollywood

celebrities such as Zac Efron and Kim Kardashian, Lior is all

set to blow your minds away with his mind reading, thought

influencing, predicting and telekinesis skills.

In Ninety minutes of outstanding entertainment, Lior promises

to take the show much beyond telepathy and mind reading,

it’s a comedic adventure in which your senses are elated and

your thoughts are not only your thoughts, but his as well.

In addition to reading thoughts, Lior will entertain, add drama,

excitement, astonishment and tension.

All of that dipped with lots of humor and fun.

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ISRAELI FILM FESTIVAL IN CHANDIGARH

The Embassy of Israel in collaboration with The Chandigarh

Film Society of India and The Chandigarh Tourism Ministry

presented the Israeli Film Festival in Chandigarh from

August 1-7, 2013.

The Inaugural Function, which took place on Thursday, 1st

August, 2013, 6:30 pm at Government Museum Auditorium,

Sector 10, Chandigarh, opened with a special screening of

the critically acclaimed film, Stones.

The Israeli Film Festival in Chandigarh attracted hundreds of

enthusiastic film and cinema lovers from all over Chandigarh,

who were able to view a variety of films, showcasing the best

of contemporary Israeli cinema.

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Cultural Department, Embassy of Israel3 Aurangzeb RoadNew Delhi 110011

Email: Culture@newdelhi.mfa.gov.il Tel: +91-11-30414556 Fax: +91-11-30414555

Visit us at: http://embassies.gov.il/delhiEnglish: http://www.namasteisrael.com (Hindi & Urdu)