By Roy Lie A Tjam The International Organization for Migration, IOM hosted their annual Embassy reception at the Carlton Ambassador Hotel on Thursday 29 January 2015. A review issued by the IOM is hereto attached. TRQN Volunteers Presenting Humanitarian Assistance Work During IOM NL Yearly Embassy Reception At its annual New Year’s Reception in The Hague IOM informed guests about its work and established or renewed relations. The reception was well-attended by representatives from Embassies, Consulates and the Dutch government.

Doctor Zhian Sarraj and Doctor Nesar Ahmad Seddiqi.

IOM highlighted its role in global emergency crises, focusing on vulnerable mobile populations or communities requiring assistance. Zhian Sarraj, medical doctor and Nesar Ahmad Seddiqi, Orthopedic Traumatologist, briefed the audience about their work in emergency situations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Both doctors participate in IOM’s Temporary Return of Qualified Nationals Project. They work and live in the Netherlands but return temporarily to their countries of origin to transfer their knowledge and offer practical training on the spot. In some countries their assignment can lead to their involvement in emergency situations. Northern Iraq, overwhelmed by internally displaced people and Afghanistan, still facing instability and security incidents, are in need of acute medical assistance. Both doctors offered their help. Dr. Sarraj worked with a team of the Kurdistan Medical Charity Foundation (KMCF) to provide medical assistance in refugee camps. Her work in northern Iraq was shown in a clip of the documentary Surprising Europe, to be shown of Dutch national TV. Professor Seddiqi trained orthopedic surgeons of the Sardar Daud Khan and Shah Ghazi Amanullah Khan Hospitals in Kabul. Prof. Seddiqi showed the audience how he introduced new techniques to treat limb injuries as a consequence of landmines and bomb attacks, aimed at a complete reintegration in society. Both doctors stressed the importance of their specific skills in combination with their cultural background. With projects such as TRQN, IOM develops the potential of the diaspora for the benefit of their native country. The project aims to contribute to sustainable development and reconstruction of nine target countries.  

On the picture H. E. Rajesh Prasah Ambassador of India and Jozias van Aartsen mayor of The Hague.   The Embassy of India in The Hague organized two events on January 26^th, 2015 to celebrate the 66^th Republic Day of India. Both began on Monday morning with a flag hoisting ceremony, followed by the National Anthem, at the Gandhi Centre in the presence of H.E. Mr. Rajesh Nandan Prasad, Ambassador of India, the staff of the Embassy of India, and distinguished guests. Inside the Gandhi Centre’s main hall, H.E. Mr. Prasad read the President of India’s inspiring national address. A rendition of patriotic songs followed. Tea and refreshments were served to the attendees, including diplomats, dignitaries, and members of the Indian diaspora. In the evening, the Embassy of India held a reception in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, The Hague. Guests were treated to a video of the Republic Day parade in Rajpath, New Delhi and the Tabla Ensemble with Lenneke van Staalen on the violin. The evening function attracted a significant audience; over two hundred and fifty people enjoyed this exceptional occasion. For complete set of pictures, please open: https://www.flickr.com/photos/121611753@N07/sets/72157650570138000/ In addition, to mark the Republic Day, the Embassy of India organized an Indian Food Festival at the Hotel Crowne Plaza in collaboration with said hotel and the India Tourism office in Amsterdam. This is the first India Food Festival of its kind and scale held in The Hague to popularize authentic Indian cuisine. Renowned master chefs Shri. Prat Kumar and Shri. Arjun from prestigious five star hotels in India were present The festival started on January 23^rd and concluded on January 26^th. History of India’s Republic Day Republic Day is one of three national holidays in India, the other two being Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanti. Republic Day is celebrated in New Delhi with a grand military parade, which starts at the Raisina Hill near the majestic Rashtrapati Bhawan, and continues along the Rajpath past India Gate. The Prime Minister of India lays a floral wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti to honour the unknown soldiers. Then, the President’s Bodyguards on horseback escort the President of India to Rajpath where he joins other dignitaries to hoist the National flag. After, the National Anthem is sung and a 21 gun salute is sounded in honour of the flag. Medals and awards of bravery are presented by the President to soldiers, civilians, and children. During the military parade, the President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Armed Forces, takes the salute. The parade consists of multiple military regiments, vehicles, and Special Forces and is followed by tableaux exhibiting different cultural aspects of the various states and union territories of India. The parade traditionally ends with acrobatics by the motorcycle units of the Armed Forces and a flypast by the Indian Air Force jets. The Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi are broadcast nationwide by radio, television, and online live stream. It should be noted that all capitals of the different states have their own celebrations. The Republic Day celebration ends three days later on the evening of January 29^th with ‘Beating the Retreat’, which is performed by the bands of the three military branches: the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force

On the picture, H.E. Sheikh Mohammed Belal Bangladesh, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is a land of opportunity: Dutch investors share experience in the Investment Seminar on Bangladesh in the Netherlands. Bangladesh is a land of opportunity and enthusiasm. This was the recurrent theme that was echoed by a good number of Dutch investors in an investment seminar held in The Hague yesterday (28 Jan 2015). Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague hosted a seminar titled: “Bangladesh: Opportunities and Best Practices” organized in collaboration with Nyenrode University of the Netherlands. Dutch investors were unanimous in their appreciation for the entrepreneurial spirit and high level of enthusiasm and commitment they happily witnessed in the people of Bangladesh. The investors, it seems, anchored their attention to Bangladesh as a “land of untapped potential with huge market size of its own.” According to them, Bangladesh is slowly but surely emerging as the gateway to South Asia given its geostrategic location with both China and India on either side of her border. Mr. Andre Nijhof of Nyenrode acted as the moderator of a lively panel discussion. Mr. Peter Van Bergen, proprietor of Budgetview and Impel IT solutions highlighted that he found the commitment of the people of Bangladesh as highly praiseworthy. Mr. Vicenta Ariza, representative of Maruboshi Europe BV in Bangladesh was very candid to say that he found “commitment” and “enthusiasm” of people of Bangladesh unparallel and his company would like to continue business with Bangladesh in the long run. Professor Desiree, Associate Dean of Degree Programs at Nyenrode University reaffirmed their commitment to continue its partnership with Bangladesh as a country, in her words “represents the future of Asia”. Mr. Rene Beerepoot of RVO made a presentation on Dutch assistance for firms to expand their business in Bangladesh. Overall mood of the audience was highly in favor of more investment and business with Bangladesh. Dutch investors in Information Technology, Logistics, waste management, water management, business consultancy etc participated in the event. Besides the business community, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CBI, RVO, PUM, Schiphol Airport, BangladeshNext have also attended the seminar.

By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg. On Monday 26th of January, the Dutch Chinese Young Entrepreneurs invited the Diplomat Magazine to a very special occasion. It was the first time in Dutch history that a Chinese navy ship travelled to the Kingdom of the Netherlands. After the two Chinese vessels arrived at the port of Rotterdam, they were open to visitors. During the opening ceremony, the scenery was covered with an ensemble of Chinese and Dutch flags, while both parties’ official representatives gave speeches. In order to support and organise this very special event, the Chinese Ambassador, H.E. Mr. Chen Xu and his embassy staff were present as well. The Diplomat Magazine would like to thank all organisers for this exceptional occasion. In addition, we wish all the best to the Chinese Embassy and the Navy of Peoples Republic of China.

On the picture H. E. Haim Divon, Ambassador of Israel.

By Duke Michael of Mecklenburg. On Tuesday 27th of January, the embassies of Israel, Denmark and the United States of America had organised a film evening theming the International Holocaust Remember Day. It is 70 years ago that the imprisoned of Auschwitz were liberalised by the Soviet Union on the 27th January 1945. Many governmental and non-governmental organisations and communities were represented to remember together those most horrible times. H. E. Timothy Broas, Ambassador of the United State of America. Three emotive and respectful speeches were given first by H.E. Mr. Haim Divon, Ambassador of Israel, H.E. Mr. Timothy Broas, Ambassador of the United States of America and H.E. Mr. Ole Emil Moesby, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark. H. E. Ole Emil Moesby, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark. The film called “Night will fall” was a striking movie, showing live-recordings of the Allies’ Armies as they enter concentration camps and what was done to those captured in ‘hell’. The camera operators filmed in and around the monstrous camps, the dead bodies piled up along streets, houses, in fields and the carrying of the bodies to the mass graves. Nowadays, it may be hard to realise or imagine the horror, but this film made it very clear with the many added pieces of live recordings and interviews of the ones who survived the camps or the war fields. It was deeply touching to see the film as a German, whose stateless catholic great-grandfather, Duke Georg of Mecklenburg had survived one of these hells in which so many had died. One can conclude that human generations shall not generalise upon any group of people, whether Jews or Germans in order to spread hatred and destruction, but to create peace by accepting all as humans of equal people no matter what background one has. Such terror shall never happen again.