By IANS,
Tel Aviv : A cricket tournament for people of Indian origin was launched in Israel to mark India’s 62nd Republic Day.
The Republic Day was celebrated at the India House in Herzliya Pituah Jan 26.
After unfurling the national flag and singing of the national anthem, Ambassador Navtej Sarna read out excerpts from Indian President Pratibha Patil’s address that was delivered on the eve of the Republic Day.
This was followed by a short cultural programme.
Sarna felicitated Indian Hospice director Sheikh Mohammed Munir Ansari, who was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award in 2011 for his contribution in maintaining the hospice as a symbol of India’s heritage in Jerusalem.
The embassy also launched the “India Trophy”, a cricket tournament for the Indian-origin community in Israel.
A large number of Indians and friends of India attended the event.
There are approximately 70,000 Jews of Indian origin in Israel, most of who are Israeli nationals. The main waves of immigration into Israel from India took place in the fifties and sixties. The majority are from Maharashtra and smaller numbers are from Kerala and Kolkata.