Israel and India share a strong and longstanding friendship, rooted in a tradition of partnership and a deep historical connection.
The Jewish and Indian peoples both have ancient cultures deeply embedded in their lands. Both nations regained their independence from the British Empire in the mid-20th century. They established vibrant and robust democracies and strive to create a better future for their people and for the world.
The relations between the two countries reflect enduring traditions, shared values, and fruitful collaboration.
The joint stamp honors these unique traditions and the deep bond between the nations and their peoples. It features the holidays of Purim and Holi—two festivals of color, light, and joy that symbolize the triumph of good over evil and take place in close proximity on the calendar.
I welcome the launch of this joint stamp at such a special occasion, as the two countries mark 33 years of diplomatic relations.
Israel-India relations
Israel and India established full diplomatic relations on January 29, 1992. However, even before that, Israel had a Consulate in Mumbai, operating since 1953. The friendly ties between the two countries have flourished ever since and currently include agricultural coope- ration, water management collaboration, thriving trade, increasing tourism and much more. There have been numerous occasions when the leaders of the two democracies have come together to discuss opport- unities and support each other’s growth story. Over the last 33 years, we have developed a special relation- ship with the people of India, and we are determined to work together to take it to new heights.
Colorful Festivals
Jewish culture and Indian culture are steeped in a rich and complex variety of festivals and events, which fill the calendar and allow those who celebrate them plenty of opportunities to break the daily routine. It decided to highlight two of these festivals on this joint issue - Purim and Holi.
In their essence, and in the religious principles in which they are anchored, the two festivals differ from each other, but on a visual level, both festivals represent motifs of popular joy, which is expressed in a variety of processions, mass celebrations, color and costumes.
According to tradition, the two holidays mark a historical event. An evil ruler sentenced an innocent person (or an entire people) to death, who did not give in to his unjust demands, but the righteous side was miraculously saved and won the victory.
The Purim Festival relates to the miracle the work of Queen Esther, who arrived at the royal court of the Persian Empire at a time of need for the Jewish people. The evil Jew-hater Haman, a senior minister of King Ahasuerus, plotted to destroy all the Jews in one day, and only thanks to Esther's courage and wisdom was the decree canceled and the Jews were saved from death. The design of the stamp dedicated to Purim brings alive the traditions of the holiday, including the reading of the Book of Esther, the delivery of food packages and the drinking of wine.
Holi also marks a story of miraculous rescue. Tradition tells of an evil king who demanded that his subjects worship only him and abandon all other gods. His son, who believed in the god Vishnu, refused his father's order, and was sentenced to death by burning. Holika, the evil king's sister whose special powers made her immune to fire, led the son into the flames, but thanks to his devotion to the god, the righteous son came out of the fire unscathed, and Holika herself paid with her life for her involvement in the crime. Vishnu killed the evil king and brought justice to the world which is celebrated by the believers in Holi. The design of the stamp dedicated to the Holi Festival emphasizes the customs including the use of paint syringes and the throwing of colored powders on the revelers in the streets.
