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  World   Middle East  08 Jul 2017  A namesake in Israel that Narendra Modi missed during his visit

A namesake in Israel that Narendra Modi missed during his visit

PTI
Published : Jul 8, 2017, 10:21 am IST
Updated : Jul 8, 2017, 10:21 am IST

Modi'in Maccabim Re'ut is a modern city, located in central Israel, about 35 km south-east of the capital, Tel Aviv.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu prior to a meeting in Jerusalem, Israel. (Photo: AP)
 Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu prior to a meeting in Jerusalem, Israel. (Photo: AP)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a namesake in Israel -- a young town that seeks to emerge as the "City of the Future".

Modi'in Maccabim Re'ut is a modern city, located in central Israel, about 35 km south-east of the capital, Tel Aviv.

Read: Israeli media calls Narendra Modi as world's most important PM

"It is a young city which is growing very fast with a youthful population," says Rabbi Akiva, who has been living in India for six years now.

He said he had visited Modi'in a few years before he moved to India.

"Though the city's nomenclature has no connection with Modi, the coincidence is amusing," he said.

In a lighter vein, Rabbi Akiva said the "in" in the name of the town could stand for India.

The rabbi also said Israelis were "happy" about PM Modi's visit to their country, the first by an Indian Prime Minister.

Read: Modi's Israeli flag themed attire makes waves

PM Modi wrapped up his three-day visit to Israel ob Thursday. Modi'in was not on his itinerary, with the prime minister visiting Tel Aviv and Haifa.

According to the official website of Modi'in, the cornerstone of which was laid in 1993, it is the "City of the Future".

"The city was named after the ancient city of Modi'in, the home of the Hashmonaim, the dynasty that personified the glorious heritage and heroism of Israel," it says.

Tags: narendra modi, modi'in, nomenclature, city of the future
Location: Israel, Jerusalem, Jerusalem