President of the Dutch Senate attended the reception organized to mark 71st Republic Day of India in The Hague
Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony and the President of the Senate of the Netherlands Prof. Dr. Jan Anthonie Bruijn.
President of the Senate of the Netherlands Prof. Dr. Jan Anthonie Bruijn was the Guest of Honour at a diplomatic reception hosted by Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony, on January 27 to mark the 71st Republic Day of India.
The reception was held at the historic Grote Kerk (Great or St. James’ Church) – one of the oldest buildings in The Hague dating to 14th century. Members of the Royal Household of the Netherlands including, H.M. King Willem-Alexander and his daughter Catharina-Amalia, Princess of Orange were baptized in this church.
Dutch dignitaries, Ambassadors of various countries stationed in The Hague, senior officials of the Dutch Government and prominent members of the Indian community were among the 250 guests who attended the reception. Nobel Laureate Kailash Stayarthi was among the guests attending the reception in The Hague.
The President of Senate in his speech praised India as the largest democracy in the world. He said that values of democracy, rule of law and pluralism are at the heart of Indian society and both India and the Netherlands share these values. The Senate President said India has become a global player in information technology and Indian migrants to the Netherlands, which include students, entrepreneurs and IT professionals have doubled in numbers.
He said that many innovations in the medical field are coming from India and there is a growing interest in traditional medicine system of India. Yoga enthusiasts from all over the Netherlands filled the DAM Square in the Netherlands on International Day of Yoga last year. He described the book India and the Netherlands- Past, Present and Future by Ambassador Venu Rajamony as a strong testimony to India-Netherlands friendship.
The celebrations included a dance and vocal performances by Indian communities in The Netherlands. Zangam, a choir based in the Netherlands, rendered traditional Indian songs and Navrang, Sanskriti and Tandav Groups, three Indian dance groups in Netherlands performed folk dances Ghoomar, Kalbelia reflecting the traditional life of the people of particular regions India. A beautiful Bolllywood dance was also presented to the guests.
The guests at the reception had an opportunity to view an exhibition on the “State Visit to India by their Majesties King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima to India and snapshots from India- Netherlands Relations”. The exhibition featured highlights of the first ever State Visit by their Majesties to India in 2019 and presented little known historical facts about India –Netherlands relations.
