At home, in Paharganj

Israeli backpackers

Amidst all this chaos, one can spot quite a number of foreigners, at ease with the hustle and bustle surrounding them.

These backpackers with their shoestring budget find the accommodation and food very affordable here.

Having realised their needs over the years, the local shopkeepers meet all the requirements of their guests, without their asking. Lodges, hotels, guest houses and eateries have sprung up to accommodate the increasing number of backpackers coming to the area.

However, there is a growing perception among the locals that Israelis form the major chunk of foreigners, visiting their area. And some of them are not very happy with way these guests conduct themselves.

Says, Imran Khan, a shopkeeper, “These people have ruined the atmosphere here. They attend rave parties; they come here to marry Indians just to get the green card. They should go back to their original land.”

Another reason for the dominant Israeli presence in Paharganj is the Chabad House in the Main Market area. This Jewish hub is like a community club for all the members. It is heavily guarded by police personnel all the time.

Debi Sharf, a preacher from Israel, who has been staying in the area for the past two months shares, “This is my third visit and I am here with my daughter and husband and we work for the Chabad organisation.” She adds, “We have our meals here only as we have specific rules for eating.”

After the Chabad House, another eatery called Ajay Restaurant, attracts maximum number of Israelis. Shay Eyal, who has been staying in India for the past one month, says, “I have been here for a month now for a business purpose.” Eyal is a software designer and he had  an interesting experience to narrate.

“When I landed in New Delhi, I was shocked to see  the taxi driver drive recklessly on the road, full with beggars. There is a huge gap between poor people and intelligent and rich people.” When asked what attracts most of the Israelis to pack their bags and come to India, he says, “Indians and Israelis have the same thinking, both are motivated to do good work, are hard working and positive.”

He also added that backpackers from Israel feel comfortable in India as they have a background in army training which teaches them to live in scarcity. “One has to share food, shower and even beds in a dormitory,” he adds.

Sharon Ben Yishay, another Israeli, calls himself a ‘baba’. Sporting a long matted hair, he compares himself to Indian ‘sadhus’.

“This is my tenth visit to India and I am here since a month. When I first came here, I stayed for six months,” says Yishay as goes on to explain other common things that people from both the countries share.