Introduction

Higher studies was the primary motive that brought me to the Netherlands in 1968. I obtained a Master’s degree in International Law at Leiden University, The Netherlands. After settling down in this country, I started a textile company in 1972 before moving into commercial properties in the eighties. At the same time, my interests in economic and societal causes grew.

Interests, Activities and Association with the Netherlands India Association and Indian Diaspora

My heart and soul lie with the Netherlands-India Association.  My association with NIA started in 1969 when I became a member. I was honoured to be NIA’s first Indian President in 1989 and served NIA for 11 years in total as President as well as two years as Vice-President and four as Secretary. I am currently a member and the coordinator of the Advisory Committee of NIA.

In these past decades, I have had the honour of contributing to significant events such as the Centenary celebration of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India.  I had also the honour to invite many Dutch ministers and representatives of the Royal House of Orange to our high-level talks and seminars. Along with Professor Waardenburg, I had the honour of inviting HRH, late Prince Claus personally in his office in 1987 to attend a specially organized function in his honour on November 16, 1987.  I also was part of the Committee that wrote the NIA Constitution for the first time in 1973 and its revisions since then.

I believe strongly that cultural causes go hand in hand when one is engaged with initiatives in a different country. As a result, I have always endeavoured to promote Indo-Dutch culture as well as other relations. In that context, I have had the honour of being the founder and Chairman of the Indian Business Chamber, founder member and President of Foundation for Critical Choices for India (FCCI), Founder Member and President of the Rotary Club the Hague Metropolitan and Board member of Foundation of Indian Diaspora in Europe (FIDE).

Achievements

There are a number of achievements that I am particularly humbled by and proud of. One is the publication of our book “Netherlands-India Association at Sixty, A Diamond Jubilee Commemorative Volume”, published in 2011, of which I was one of the editors.

Another significant event that comes to my mind is the first ever Non-Resident Indian (NRI) conference in India in 1984,  In 2000, I presented a paper at the International Conference of People of Indian Origin organised by the Government of India in Delhi, on “The role and contribution of PIOs to the economies of the countries of their residence.”

I am proud and humbled to have received the Paul Harris Fellow award twice for recognition of my service in furthering the cause of better understanding and friendly relations among the peoples of the world in my work for the Rotary, various charities and fund-raising efforts.  In 2018, I was honoured to receive the Royal Award – “RIDDER IN DE ORDE VAN ORANJE NASSAU”, as a bridge builder between India and the Netherlands in the fields of economy, culture and social affairs.

Advice for younger generations

Based on my life experiences, my advice for the Indian diaspora living in this country is that honesty, integrity and hard work always pays at the end of the day. Nothing is too small as long as done with full commitment and motivation. Giving back to the society is equally important as it’s a two-way street. One has to take calculated risks in life and business, and of course creating your own luck is an important factor. Like the saying goes, “throw a lucky man in the sea and he will come out with a fish in his mouth.”