Featuring the pulsating beauty of Jerusalem, its people, ancient architecture, and religion, “Transcending Jerusalem, The City through Indian Lenses”, a three day Photography Exhibition was staged by Embassy of Israel in India at WIC India, Dehradun.
Inaugurated by Honourable Daniel Carmon, Ambassador of Israel in India and Curated by Dr. Alka Pande, the exhibition showcased the photographic works of Indian artists & photographers, Mr. Aditya Arya, Mr. Parthiv Shah and Mr. Prabir Purkayastha.
Excerpts from an Interview with Ambassador Daniel Carmon:
Sir, you have travelled all the way from New Delhi to inaugurate the photography exhibition, we know how significant it is for you. Talking about creativity, how would you define it in your own words?
I would define creativity in the will of people to think and to do something new that comes out of their own thinking, not something that is a reaction to something but something that is pro-active. To think about something, to invent something, to innovate something and this is the essence of what we are talking about. And we feel, we have put it by the way in our logo, Israel the land of creativity but it’s not only Israel, its India also.
The exhibition ‘‘Transcending Jerusalem – The City through India Lenses”, what does it portray?
It is a mix of everything. Indian Photographers were asked to scout around the city of Jerusalem, take pictures with their own lens and their own perspective. These photographs are the view of each photographer for what is my hometown. I live in Jerusalam, this is where I grew up, this is where I work and this is where the government of Israel is. Many religions, cultures have amalgamated in a city which is old yet new, antique, historic and yet modern and innovative.
How would you describe the long drawn relationship between India and Israel, both in the past and in the present scenario?
It’s a strategic partnership. Looking at the history of the relations between India and Israel, and where we stand today, one can only be proud and I am proud of our joint achievements. Today I look back with a lot of admiration and satisfaction towards what we have done so far and looking towards the future of our growing partnership.
What do you think, in what way can Israel contribute to the betterment of the State of Uttarakhand?
There are 27 fully operational Centres of Excellence across India, where we bring the Israeli experience, the knowledge and know-how in the field of irrigation, agriculture, fertilization, management and there is no reason why not to have such a centre in Uttarakhand. We could work in the area of skill-development, academics or choose areas that could be interesting for the people of Uttarakhand or for the Government of Uttarakhand. I brought the Chief Minister some ideas about courses that take place in Israel, am hoping we can work on something together.
It is the first time that I am visiting WIC India, Dehradun. The entire event, seeing so many people joining and enjoying the exhibition, is heartening. I have heard a lot about WIC and want to thank WIC India Dehradun for coming up with this unique initiative and for their extended cooperation.
