‘Curry Queen’ part of Israeli delegation to India
NEWDELHI: An Indian woman known as the curry queen of Israel will accompany Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other highranking officials visiting India next week.
Renowned chef and restaurateur Reena Pushkarna said in a phone interview from Tel Aviv on Tuesday that she is “very honoured and excited” to be a part of the prime ministerial delegation.
“This really means a lot to me as I wear both hats – Indian and Israeli,” she said. Born to an Indian Army colonel, Pushkarna made Tel Aviv her home more than three decades ago.
Netanyahu will be the second Israeli PM to visit India after diplomatic ties were established between the two countries 25 years ago.
Pushkarna will bring a special gift for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for whom she cooked for the first time more than a decade ago.
“I am carrying a small Hamsa for Modi ji to wish him good luck with all his endeavours and hope to get an opportunity to give it to him personally,” she said.
Shaped like an eye in the middle of an open palm, the Hamsa is a Jewish symbol used for luck and protection.
So what are her expectations from the visit?
“Politicians do the talking…they open the doors. And people like you and I on the ground make people-to-people things happen,” she said.