Jerusalem, May 03: An Indian belonging to the Jewish community in the North East was today honoured as one of Israel's outstanding soldiers at a ceremony marking 58 years of the country's Statehood.

Tamir Baithe, who hails from Imphal, Manipur and belongs to the North Eastern Jewish community of Bnei Menashe, was among the 120 soldiers who were given the award by Israeli President Moshe Katsav here.

A fighter in the elite 'Shaked' unit of Givati Brigade and posted in Nahal Oz close to Gaza, Baithe is the only member from his community to be honoured thus.

"I am excited and felt nervous during the whole ceremony," he told PTI shortly after receiving the award.

"The army has given me good friends and it is like a family to me.

I wish my parents were also here to see me receiving this award", said Baithe, who emigrated four years ago without his family.

"I miss them and hope they will be able to come here as well," he said.

Baithe married a girl from his community last year without the presence of his family members.

Some 600 members of his community have emigrated to Israel during the last decade.

Around 7,000 Bnei Menashe people currently live in Manipur and Mizoram.

Israel's Chief Rabbinate formally recognized them as descendants of Israel in March last year.

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