Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday will attend a solemn ceremony at the Teen Murti Memorial here in New Delhi to mark the formal renaming of Teen Murti Chowk and Teen Murti Marg after Israeli city Haifa.
The two leaders will also lay a wreath and sign the visitor’s book at the memorial, official sources said.
Netanyahu is arriving in India on a six-day visit on Sunday.
The three bronze statues at Teen Murti represent Hyderabad, Jodhpur and Mysore Lancers who were part of the 15 Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade.
The brigade carried out the victorious assault on the fortified city of Haifa on September 23, 1918, during World War I.
There are various accounts of this battle – all narrate the valour with which the lancers undertook the assault on the garrisoned city protected by a joint force of Ottomans, Germany and Austria-Hungary. The liberation of Haifa cleared a supply route for the Allies to the city through the sea.
Forty-four Indian soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice during the liberation of the city in World War I.
Till date, the 61 Cavalry celebrates September 23 as its Raising Day or “Haifa Day.”
In September, 2016, Race Course road, where the Prime Minister’s official residence is located, was renamed as Lok Kalyan Marg. Lok Kalyan means public welfare.
Delhi Metro’s Race Course station was also renamed as Lok Kalyan Metro station.
(with agency inputs)