National News
Moshe visits Nariman House in Mumbai, where his parents were killed in 26/11 terror attack
Moshe's parents - Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and Rivka - were killed during the siege at the Nariman House by terrorists in November 2008.
Mumbai: Moshe Holtzberg, who lost his parents in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, visited the Nariman House on Monday.
“Shalom, bahut khushi (I’m very happy),” he had said at the Mumbai airport.
His grandfather Shimon Rosenberg had said, “I feel very happy to come to India, to Nariman House where I am going to pray. I will say hi to the people of India. I feel very good in this country.”
Moshe was two years old when his parents – Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and Rivka – were killed during the siege at the Nariman House by 10 Pakistani terrorists in November 2008. The boy is now 11 years old.
The Jewish couple ran a cultural and outreach centre for the Chabad-Lubavitch movement at the Nariman House in South Mumbai’s Colaba area.
Moshe’s Indian nanny Sandra Samuels had saved the child during the terror attack. The terrorists carried out the attacks over three days in the city and killed 166 people.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had met Moshe and his grandparents during a visit to Israel in July last year and had told him that he could visit India anytime. He had also said, “You and your family will get a long-term visa for India from my government.”
While meeting PM Modi, Moshe had said, “I remember our connection to Nariman House. I hope I will be able to visit Mumbai and when I get older, live there.”
He had added, “Dear Mr Modi, I love you and your people in India.”
An emotional moment reminiscent of horrific terrorist attack. PM @narendramodi meets Moshe, the boy who survived 26/11 Mumbai attack in 2008
Moshe now lives in Afula, Israel, with his grandparents and goes to a yeshiva (religious school).
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on a six-day visit to India, visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Tuesday along with his wife Sara.
He was received by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Kheria Airport. Netanyahu was accorded a traditional welcome by Braj folk artists on his arrival.
The dignitaries spent some time at Hotel Amar Vilas before leaving for the monument in golf carts. In view of the Israeli PM’s visit, the Taj Mahal remained closed for over two hours for tourists.
The route from the Kheria Airport to the Taj Mahal was sealed and extra security arrangements were made.
