H.E. J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
By Roy Lie A Tjam.
In India, Republic Day is a time for showcasing the country’s the latest defense arsenal and rich cultural heritage at the huge Republic Day parade at the Rashtrapati Bhawan in New Delhi.
Every year on Republic Day, India invites a visiting head of state, who is the country’s guest of honour for the ceremony. This year’s guest of honour was the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, H.E. Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
On the eve of the sixty-eighth Republic Day, President of India, H.E. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee,extended warm greetings to his people. He reminded them that when India attained its political freedom on 15th August 1947, it did not have an instrument of governance of its own.
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It was on 26th January 1950 that the Indian people gave to themselves a Constitution to secure for all citizens justice, liberty, equality, and gender and economic equity. The constitution promised fraternity, dignity of the individual, and unity and integrity of the nation. India became the largest democracy in the world.
In The Hague, H.E. J.S. Mukul, Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, quoted from his President’s speech in his own address during the Republic Day celebrations, which took place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on 26 January.
Ambassador Mukul began by explaining that Republic Day is a celebration of India’s Constitution and the values of justice, liberty, equality, pluralism and secularism. He continued:
“The year 2017 not only marks India at 70 but also the 70th Anniversary of India-Netherlands diplomatic relations. To commemorate this, we are having a ‘Festival of India’ from January through March 2017. This will showcase Indian classical and folk dances, music, art exhibitions and a food festival. This Festival of India will also be formally inaugurated this evening by jointly lighting the traditional Indian lamp and a glimpse of Indian classical dance ‘Kathak’. The past year, 2016, has been particularly good for bilateral relations underpinned by numerous exchanges, most recently when the Netherlands was a ‘partner country’ at ‘Vibrant Gujarat’ earlier this month.”
“Our respective Chambers of Commerce now have a presence in each other’s countries. India’s e-visas for Dutch passport holders have been a resounding success for ease-of-travel to India and are being further liberalized. New direct flight connections have enhanced connectivity, and thus tourism is booming. The Netherlands is India’s sixth largest trading partner in the European Union in 2015-16. Similarly, investment flows both ways have been robust. The Netherlands is India’s fourth largest source of foreign direct investment globally during 2015-16.”
“Going forward, India’s growth story remains strong; we are growing at 7.2%. India’s flagship programs like Make-in-India, Digital India, Skill India, Smart Cities, Clean India, Clean Ganga, Start-up-India, Stand-up-India, etc. provide ample complementarities and opportunities for future Indo-Dutch cooperation in niche areas. India’s far-reaching big bang reforms for investments, demonetization and Goods & Services Tax (GST) roll-out promise to be game-changers.”
Ambassador Mukul also touched on the Indian diaspora in the Netherlands. He said:
“We would like to acknowledge the Indian diaspora community – the largest in mainland Europe – for its contributions to the Netherlands, to India, as well as to Indo-Dutch relations. We are extremely proud of the positive and constructive role of the Indian diaspora. It is a matter of great satisfaction that the presence of a large, diversified, integrated, well accomplished and highly regarded Indian diaspora community in the Netherlands has ensured excellent people-to-people interaction in all fields.”
Ambassador Mukul concluded:
“During the year and a half of my stay in the Netherlands, I have been very touched by the openness, graciousness and cooperation of the Dutch authorities and people. I have been particularly struck by the friendship for India. Their interest in our country, culture, customs, couture and cuisine is remarkable.”
“Today, we have a very reputed Indian classical Kathak dance troupe of Aditi Mangaldas performing for us to mark the inauguration of the Festival of India. We also have an Indian buffet in the adjoining restaurant prepared by Chefs Arun Kumar and Jai Kishan from India Tourist Development Corporation (ITDC) who are here for the Indian Food Festival in association with Crowne Plaza Hotel and India Tourism office in Amsterdam as part of the Festival of India.”
“Finally, if I may be permitted on a personal note, on behalf of my wife Mita and myself, to convey our profound gratitude and deep appreciation for the whole-hearted cooperation and friendship that we have received from one and all during our stay in The Hague. As I retire from the Indian Foreign Service at the end of April to return back to New Delhi on May 1, 2017, our thoughts will be with our friends here. Our stay may have been short, but was extremely satisfying and enjoyable. The Netherlands will always have a special place wherever we are. We will remember our Dutch hosts, friends from all countries and our Indian diaspora compatriots with very fond memories and a deep sense of nostalgia. We look forward to remaining in close touch up to April here and thereafter from India.”
The Republic Day 2017 celebration in The Hague was an excellent demonstration of Indian cordiality and hospitality. Many of Ambassador Mukul’s friends, colleagues, Dutch civil servants and business figures congregated at Hotel Crowne Plaza to celebrate Republic Day 2017. Guest speakers included Peter Potman, Director Asia and Oceania at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In his remarks, Potman hinted at the establishment of a Dutch Consulate-General in Bangalore. The Dutch Ambassador to India H.E. Alphonsus Stoelinga also addressed the audience.
The Indian classical Kathak dance troupe of Aditi Mangaldas put on a sublime performance, mesmerizing the audience with a rhythmic style of dancing. Aditi Mangaldas is a leading dancer and choreographer in the classical Indian dance form of Kathak, with extensive training under the leading gurus of Kathak. She is today recognised for her artistry, technique, eloquence and characteristic energy that mark every performance.
