Bigger India
Israel’s Indian Jews and their lives in the promised land
The ancient Israeli city of Beersheba is home to thousands of Bene Israelis who migrated to the "promised land" soon after the state was created in 1948.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just left India after a six-day official visit during which the two countries heralded a “new era” in ties. BBC Hindi’s Zubair Ahmed travelled to Beersheba in Israel to meet a community of Indian-origin Jews who migrated there soon after the nation’s creation.
Naor Gudekar is 61-years-old, but he is still a fighting fit cricketer. He is also the administrator of Israel’s first cricket club, which was founded by immigrant Indians like him 65 years ago in the desert city of Beersheba.
Mr Gudekar is overseeing a practice session for the club team when we arrive at the grounds in what is a decidedly nicer part of the town.