Sde Boker (Israel): Indian Ambassador to Israel Sanjeev Singla on Tuesday inaugurated joint-virtual tours between Mahatma Gandhi's Sabarmati Ashram and Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion's home in Negev desert here, on the occasion of India's Republic Day, to highlight the different aspects of the lives of the founding fathers of the two nations.
"The monthly virtual tours, which will commence from February 2021, envisages deepening the understanding of different aspects of the lives of the founding fathers of both nations, including their sources of inspiration, their visions for the future of their peoples and the world, and the symbolism of their lifestyle, such as the choice of dress," according to a press statement.
Ben-Gurion was an ardent admirer of Gandhi and even had a picture of Bapu in his room. The Israeli leader's home has remained as it was left when he passed away in 1973. It was opened for the public a year later as per instructions in his will.
"Ben-Gurion had a deep interest in Gandhiji's life and work, as indeed in Indian thought and philosophy. This is evident in the fact that the only picture he kept in his bedroom was a portrait of Gandhiji, as also a large collection of books on India at his home," Singla said, standing next to Gandhi's portrait in the room. "It is therefore fitting that Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute and Sabarmati Ashram would now be collaborating on a virtual tour of Sabarmati Ashram for people visiting Ben-Gurion's home at Sde Boker", he added.
The joint virtual tour is the initiative of Ben-Gurion Heritage Institute together with the Sabarmati Ashram Preservation and Memorial Trust with the assistance of the Embassy of India in Israel.
The abode of the two greats in many ways symbolises their vision for their people and their countries and the joint tours aim at deepening the strong strategic ties between India and Israel, the statement said.
The Government of India has declared Sabarmati Ashram a national monument given its significance in the Indian national movement.
With the Republic Day coinciding with the Jewish festival of Trees, Tu B'Shvat, the Indian envoy also planted a pepper tree overlooking the desert home of David and Paula Ben-Gurion. The original tree was planted by Ben-Gurion in 1964 but was damaged over time.