dnaahmedabad

Consul General speaks to DNA Ahmedabad

  •   Raises issues of the Hitler shop with the govt.
  • 9/3/2012
  •  
     
    ​
     

    ‘We have taken up the issue of ‘Hitler’ with Guj govt’

    Gaming centre in Nagpur, Mumbai restaurant also had to change names from ‘Hitler’, reveals consul general of Israel


    DNA Money Correspondent 

    l Ahmedabad

    “It is very sensitive thing for us. Adolf Hitler had killed more than 6 million Jews during World War-II. So a shop named after him hurts our sentiments and feelings,” said Orna Sagiv, consul general of the Consulate General of Israel, during her visit to the city on Monday for the inauguration of Agritech Asia 2012. Sagiv said that, to address the issue, the Consulate General of Israel has approached the Gujarat government for removal of the name from the shop in Vastrapur, Ahmedabad. 

    “We are hopeful that the state government helps us with the issue,” she said and added that top state officials have assured her the government will work on it.

    Sagiv is aware that the owner of the shop, Rajesh Shah has no connection with the Nazi dictator. However, he is asking for compensation against the cost that will be incurred to change the shop’s branding. 

    “We are not here to negotiate. In Nagpur, a pool gaming centre named ‘Hitler’s Den’ had to change its name. Similarly, a restaurant in Mumbai also had to change its name for this reason. Hence, the garment shop here will also have to do the same,” she said.

    According to her, this is a case of ignorance. “We know that there is lot of ignorance and insensitivity. But for the Jewish population across the world, it is hurtful. In World War-II, Hitler killed over 6 million Jews, including 1 million women and kids. We expect the owner of the shop to understand the issue and not negotiate with us,” said Sagiv.

    During her inaugural address at Agritech Asia 2012, that after 20 years, Israel’s bi-lateral relations with India had now scaled new heights. 

    “The trade between the two countries has gone up from $180 million in 1992 to over $5 billion now. At present, only 2.4 % of our population is farmers, which used to be 65% in 1948. Ours is now a grain exporter country, thanks to technology,” Sagiv said.
    Further, Israel wants to set up three centres of excellence (CoE) in the state. 

    “To share our experience and facilitate transfer of technology, we are going to set up three CoEs in Gujarat for vegetables, mangoes as well as post-harvest practices for dates and bananas respectively. The first of these is being developed in the state in conjunction with the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) – Delhi, while the other two will be developed with the cooperation of the Gujarat government,” she explained. Speaking about the free trade agreement (FTA) between India and Israel, Sagiv said that it is likely to be in place by the end of the year. 

    “If the FTA is signed, bilateral trade between the countries will treble from the current $5 billion to $15 billion. At present, Israel’s exports to India stand at nearly $3 billion. Of the total trade size, diamonds contribute 50%, while other conventional businesses such as chemicals, textiles and others, are also contributors. Once the FTA is signed, more sectors will be involved,” she said.

    As part of the 20th anniversary of bilateral relations between India and Israel, Sagiv said that governments are working on a twin city celebration. 

    “We have finalised Vadodara from India and the city from Israel is yet to be zeroed in on. Under this agreement, the mayors of the respective cities will participate in exchange programs for delegations of students,” she said.
     
  •