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Republic Day 2019 diplomatic Reception.

Posted on: February 05, 2019 | Back | Print

Embassy of India

The Hague

Press Release

January 26, 2019

 India’s 70th Republic Day Reception held along with high profile exhibition on “Life of Buddha”

 The King’s Commissioner for Drenthe Ms Jetta Klijnsma and Mayor Jan van Zanen of Utrecht were the Guests of honour at India’s diplomatic reception hosted by Ambassador of India to the Netherlands, H.E. Mr. Venu Rajamony on 26th January to mark the 70th Republic Day of India.  The reception was held for the second consecutive year in the historic Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam, which is venue for Dutch royal investiture ceremonies, most recently that of King Willem Alexander in 2013.  This was also the venue of the royal wedding of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima.

 Dutch dignitaries and Ambassadors of various countries stationed in The Hague, senior officials of the Dutch Government and prominent members of the Indian community attended the reception.

Chief guest Mayor Jan van Zanen of Utrecht in his speech talked about the warm relations between Indian and The Netherlands, from the first contact in the 17th century for pepper trade till the visit of Prime Minister Modi to The Netherland in 2017, the 2018 Dutch trade mission to India and the relation between the city of Utrecht and the Indian Community.  Mayor Jan van Zanen emphasized “We are two different countries and at the same time, there is a lot we share”. Ambassador Venu Rajamony in his address talked about the ideals of pluralism and multiculturalism which guide India in its quest for brighter future. He also gave a review of the state of India - Netherlands relations in 2018, which was an action packed year with a number of high level visits. Ambassador Venu Rajamony emphasised about India Upholding its Buddhist legacy and is today the largest democracy in the world. In few months, India will hold its 17th Genral Elections. The electorate in the last elections of 2014 comprised of 834 million people with 533 million or 66.44% casting their votes, all using electronic voting machin. At a time when political failures are evident in many parts of the world and there is talk about the need to breathe fresh life into Democracy as an institution, India stands ready to do so. The people of India are diverse, yet, fully united in our aspiration and determination to build a brighter future. Whatever be outcome of the upcoming elections, the one thing that is certain is that India’s growth story will continue unabated.

The celebrations included a dance performance and playing of compositions by Indian maestros Dr. L Subramaniam and A R Rahman on the finest historic church organ of The Netherlands. The dance performance was an amalgamation of three of India's popular classical dance styles, Odissi from the east, Kathak from the north and Bharatnatyam from the south, representing India’s diversity. Guests also had the opportunity to view the exhibition on “Buddha’s Life, Path to the Present” where the ancient and modern are spectacularly combined.  The exhibition brings together thousand-year old objects and modern art. It includes ancient sculptures from Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, etc as well as contemporary exhibits by internationally renowned artists like Yoko Ono, Tony Feher, Alicia Framis, Tatsuo Miyajima etc.

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