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"India, Israel share legacy of old cultures"

Staff Correspondent

Israeli Ambassador to India David Danieli inaugurates exhibition in Bhopal

PHOTO: A.M. Faruqui

CRADLE OF CIVILISATION: Israeli envoy David Danieli with Madhya Pradesh Minister Laxmikant Sharma at an exhibition, "Israel: Archaeology from the Air", in Bhopal on Thursday.

BHOPAL: The Israeli Ambassador to India, David Danieli, said here on Thursday that India and Israel are relatively young States but share a legacy of ancient cultures.

Mr. Danieli was speaking to media persons after inaugurating the exhibition "Israel: Archeology from the Air".

He inaugurated the exhibition jointly with Madhya Pradesh Minister for Culture and Mineral Resources Laxmikant Sharma at the State Museum.

"Israel is blessed with an ancient culture and has a rich archaeological heritage. Archaeological sites dating back 5000 years are scattered everywhere in his country," he said, adding that the objective behind the Bhopal exhibition is to inform the students and people here about how rich is the history of Israel, which has been a cradle of Judaism and Christianity.

While stating that he was proud of the Israeli heritage, Mr. Danieli said: "We find the same rich culture and heritage in India, especially Madhya Pradesh."

Speaking on the occasion, the State Minister for Culture said that Israel has a glorious history marked with plenty of struggle. He said there was also a need to showcase our rich cultural heritage in Israel.

The exhibition's theme put up on display at the entrance read: "The ancient land of Israel, a small stretch of land on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, played a central role in the history of the ancient world. It served as the main land bridge between three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa... . It is in this land, that the two greatest monotheistic faiths— Judaism and Christianity— were conceived and evolved."

The exhibits put up on display include aerial pictures of Tel Megiddo, Port city of Akko, Beit She'an, Tel Hazor, and the imposing Herodium.

Tel Hazor is one of the biggest archaeological sites, spread over 200 acres with several stratums of bronze and iron ages.

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"India, Israel share legacy of old cultures"

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