Keeping India alive in the heart of Israel

Dimona, famous for its dome shaped structure atop the nuclear centre, is also home to a big Indian community that is strongly connected to its "roots" and is consistently involved in efforts to "solidify" it. In efforts to keep the new generation connected with their heritage, community leaders have put a lot of effort to educate them in India's traditions and a special section created in the central municipal library here is playing a central role in achieving this goal.

"The elder community members had contributed books that they brought with them from India to the municipal library and when we saw the treasure we pushed for the creation of a special section so that our children could learn about our glorious past and appreciate their roots," community leader and chairman of the Central Organisation of Indian Jews, Moshe Benjamin, told reporters.

"Our town is known as little India in Israel and you can see signs of Indianness all around", he said.

With the efforts of Benjamin and Indian origin deputy mayor of the town, Ofer Talker, the special section of the library was created and during the recent years the stocks have been rapidly growing with community members visiting India contributing books generously following their trip.

"I am a regular visitor to the library and reading the books brings back vividly the memories of India. It is also encouraging to see the youngsters in the Indian community taking interest in the books", Yoel Sogaonkar said.

There are about 3,500 Indian books, mostly in Marathi but also a significant number in Hindi, mainly focussing on the folklores of Maharashtra and its history, but some also related to prominent Indian leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Books dealing with heroic exploits of Chhatrapati Shivaji can be seen in plenty, the collection donated by elders of the community, many of them no more alive.

Also prominently visible is the cricket ground at the entrance of the city where a lot of youngsters attend regular coaching classes.

"My dream is to represent India some day. Sachin Tendulkar is my favourite sportsman", Solomon Varsulkar, a left hand leg spinner who was awarded the junior cricketer of the year award by the Israel Cricket Association this year said.

Varsulkar lives in the southern Israeli town of Yeruham but comes to Dimona to play the game because of the enthusiastic group of youngsters around.

Tendulkar is the overwhelming favourite among the budding talents of Israel here with flamboyant Mahendra Singh Dhoni a distant but "amazing" second.

The town is the only one in Israel where an Indian is represented in the mainstream political set up with talker elected the deputy mayor representing the Indian Jewish political party.

Indian shops are spread across the town and Marathi can be heard everywhere with 7,500 strong Indian community making up for some 30 per cent of the towns population.

Even the younger generation is familiar with 'Sonpapdi', 'Gulab Jamun', 'Papri Chaat', 'Bhelpuri', with several shops selling them around.

Bureau Report