Rechristening iconic ‘Teen Murti Chowk’ resembles sacrifices of valiant Indian Soldiers for liberating Israeli City Haifa during WW-I

New Delhi, January 15: The reciprocal visit of ‘friendship’ that was celebrated by our nation on Sunday after Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was heartily welcomed by our beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a remarkable move, the iconic Teen Murti Chowk was renamed as ‘Teen Murti Haifa Chowk’ over the Israeli city ‘Haifa’.

Rechristened as ‘Teen Murti Haifa Chowk’ this resembles- the sacrifices of our valiant Indian soldiers who laid down their lives during the liberation of the city of Haifa and the First World War.

The Israeli city was liberated from Ottoman occupation by Indian soldiers during World War I. A large number of Indian soldiers of the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade died during the battle to free the city and nearly 900 were buried in Israel. September 23 is celebrated as Haifa Day in India and Israel every year as a mark of respect for the soldiers who lost their lives in the battle and to mark the end of 400 years of Turkish control over the city.

The three bronze statues at Teen Murti represent the Hyderabad, Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers who were part of the 15 Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade that carried out the victorious assault on the fortified city on September 23, 1918, during the World War I. The liberation of Haifa cleared a supply route for the Allies to the city through the sea. A total of 44 Indian soldiers were martyred during the liberation of the Israeli city in World War I.

After renaming ‘Teen Murti Chowk’ as ‘Teen Murti Haifa Chowk’, PM Modi and PM Netnyahu paid their tributes at the memorial to mark the supreme sacrifices. After laying down wrath at the memorial, both signed the visitor’s book.

In the visitor’s book, PM Modi wrote that he saluted the “great Indian traditions of selfless sacrifice and penance” of Indian soldiers, who laid down their lives during the liberation of the city of Haifa and the First World War. “One of these pages was written 100 years ago, in the sacrifice of Indian soldiers at Haifa. The sacrifice commemorated at Teen Murti observes its centenary. Naming this spot as Teen Murti-Haifa Chowk marks this historic occasion. In the presence of the Prime Minister of Israel, we pay homage to the brave soldiers,” PM Modi wrote in the visitor’s book.

After his meeting with PM Modi, PM Netanyahu met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. EAM Sushma Swaraj called on PM Netanyahu for having the warm conversation on various aspects of our bilateral ties aimed at strengthening our strategic partnership.

 

On 16 January, Netanyahu will give the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue, a multilateral conference held annually in New Delhi, which is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and economics. It is attended by heads of state, global policymakers, as well as members of the media and academia.

He is also scheduled to visit Gujarat and Maharashtra during the week. Netanyahu will also attend the ‘Shalom Bollywood’ event, aimed at exploring business opportunities for filmmakers in Israel.