The value of culture as a variable on the conduct of modern diplomacy is unquestionable. Culture is a powerful instrument to pursue national interests in a non-intrusive, intelligent, convincing and cost-effective manner. Culture is utilised actively in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy to foster intercultural understanding and meaningful dialogue between nations.

In this context, the Indo-Israel Colloquium held in New Delhi on the topic of “Preserving Cultural Identities in Today’s World” under the aegis of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Embassy of Israel was very significant and rewarding. The event held on 10 September 2008, coincided with the chronological proximity to the 60th anniversaries of both Israel and India and became an occasion to celebrate the cultural diversity, richness and heritage of both the countries.

Cultural heritage is a perennial asset as tangible history of a country. The heritage of country is equally important for a visitor from abroad as well as for the new generations that take birth. Heritage amplifies the understanding of culture and history of a nation. By safeguarding the cultural heritage of a country, the goal of preserving cultural heritage is automatically taken care of.

Ancient Civilizations

The colloquium explored the commonalities of the two ancient civilisations, the role of cultural institutions in preserving and promoting culture, impact of globalisation on culture, and cultural cooperation.

Israel is the land of great antiquity and imparts rich spiritual values to a considerable part of humanity. Both India and Israel inherit ancient and great civilizations characterized by humanism, philosophical traditions, and deep wisdom. Both nations acquired freedom from foreign domination during the 1940s and began their work towards the construction of modern democratic societies. Peace and democracy are the ultimate commitments of both the nations.

According to Eli Belotsercovsky, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Israel in India, “Both India and Israel have lots of similarities. Just like Indians, Jews also believe that education is the only asset that can be taken anywhere in case circumstances force us to migrate.”

Ashok Vajpeyi, Chairman of the Lalit Kala Akademi, addressed the colloquium and quoted Jewish poet Yehuda Amichai, who said, “Jews were not a historical people rather they are a geological race and had grown along with their land. Similarly, Indians also grew out of the progress of civilisations and over the centuries instead of history.”

Mira Magen, leading new wave Israeli writer, found lots of similarities between the two countries. Both India and Israel are young nations and facing same kind of conflicts at home and are striving to balance the old (traditional) and the new (modern) values.

Indo-Israel ties aren’t new; their roots lay in the Ganizah Papers – the old Jewish trade and religious accounts written in Arabic, Aramaic, and Hebrew, according to Prof. Himanshu Prabha Ray of Jawaharlal Nehru University.

India and Israel have spiritual kinship and the ties between the two nations date back to the First Temple when first

Jewish communities settled in India. India is one among the few contemporary and ancient countries mentioned in the Bible (besides China, Greece, Egypt, and Persia). The Jews have flourished in this country over the ages in harmony and peace and enjoy full liberty to their religion and way of life.

Spirituality and tradition are the two forces that pull the visitors to India. “Tradition is the keyword,” pronounced Belotsercovsky. The Israelis consider India as a major spiritual centre. Israelis visiting India are fascinated by its rich culture, mesmerizing aromas, and scintillating colours. Approximately 40, 000 Israelis visit India every year.

To preserve the cultural heritages of both the countries in this age of globalisation, India and Israel are now working to consolidate bilateral ties through educational and cultural partnerships.

Other eminent speakers from academia, archaeology, literature and arts included Muzaffar Ali, Indian film maker; Renuka Narayan, Journalist; Arpana Kaur, Indian Artist, Mira Megan, Israeli Writer; Vardi Kahana, photographer from Israel and David Ofek, Israeli film maker.

Value of Preserving History

The speakers focussed attention on the raging threat of globalisation dismantling cultural identities. They expressed concern over the assault of globalisation on culture; the latter has brought in enormous opportunities for developing nations, but has also unleashed materialistic ambitions among the public while putting brakes on spiritual or patriotic urges. The ill effects of globalisation on the cultures and humanity are manifesting in undesirable forms.

Prof. K. Satchidanandan, Former Secretary, Sahitya Academy of India, deplored, “Culture has become an extended arm for diplomacy, an extension for markets. Cultural harmony is getting lost somewhere”. The noble objective of culture must be to portray human relations and reinforce its larger link with the cosmos at large. Culture should not be thought of as a material thing. But globalisation is making culture a medium for attaining many other goals, which are far removed from its basic objectives.

Challenges

Mr. Benjamin Kedar, Chairperson, Israel Antiquity Society (IAS) spoke on the need for raising public awareness on the preservation of archaeological heritages in the country, to supplement the initiatives by the concerned authorities and individuals. Kedar noted that one of the major challenges faced by all those agencies working towards the protection and preservation of cultural heritage in a country was the apathy and poor awareness levels among the general public.

Dr. S.B. Ota, Director of the National Mission for Monuments and Antiquity, Archaeological Survey of India called for creating synergy between agencies such as the ASI, Universities, NGOs, Institutes, and professionals as well as individuals for preserving the cultural heritage. This will help in formulating and implementing the appropriate tools in preserving cultural identities in this modern world.

Illegal trafficking on the tangible history of India is not uncommon over the years. Antiquities are turning into commodities to amass money or stooping to be mere status symbols among the aristocracy. The antiquities form an integral part of the tangible history of a country and its smuggling amounts to denigrating the important facets of the great history of the nation. Dr. Ota concluded his address by calling for stricter implementation of the policies to curb the illicit trafficking of Indian antiquities.