15 October 2014, New Delhi: H.E. Mr. Daniel Carmon, Israel’s Ambassador to India, sponsored a book launch entitled “Jews and the Indian Art Project & Western Jews in India” at his residence in Delhi yesterday. More than 60 people from various disciplines, including the media and art world heavyweights, attended the event. Dr. Kenneth X Robbins, an American psychiatrist, collector, independent expert on South Asia, and editor of the volumes, and Lt-Gen (retired) J. F. R Jacob, a Bollywood actor, and screenwriter, were among the honored guests. A panel discussion with Haidar Ali followed the program. Pramila (Esther Victoria Abraham), one of the original Bollywood actresses and mother of Haidar Ali, was also featured in a short video from the film “Shalom Bollywood.”
During the event, Ambassador Carmon stated, “Jews and the Indian National Art Project” and “Western Jews in India” are the two volumes that we are launching today. These two publications show the breadth of Jewish contributions to the Indian subcontinent. They discuss how Jews have served as spiritual leaders, contributed to art, architecture, and medicine, served in administrative and military roles, and became involved in regional politics at the national level. I’d want to convey my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Ken Robbins for his unwavering commitment to the cause of maintaining Indian Jewish tradition. Ken’s next book, “Jews in Bollywood,” will be the subject of our panel, in which BBollywood’sHaider Ali will shortly share his recollections of his mother, famed actress, and first Miss India Esther Victoria Abraham, also known as Pramilla. On this occasion, I’d want to acknowledge General Jacob, an Indian war hero, a proud Jew, and a friend of Israel, whose presence here tonight is critical to the subject at hand “.
