Launch of my book Suhana Safar by the HE Ambassador of the kingdom of Netherlands
By the grace of God, I have got the opportunity to travel around the country and abroad. Every place is beautiful in its own way, but my visit to Netherlands last year impressed me a lot and inspired me to write something about this journey and the result of this was that my book "Suhana Safar-Netherlands" came into existence in the form of that travelogue of 57 days. Just like the country is clean and full of fragrance, this book, also strengthened by the same feelings, was published with the help of young friends of Unicreations publisher. My well-wishing readers also accepted it with open arms and in just a span of one month, its colorful second edition has now come. I am also very enthusiastic about this book and want it to reach every person who is a part of the peace movement going on around the world.
You may ask what is the connection of this travelogue with world peace, friendship and non-violence? I have only one request on this that this country, which has faced war, dispute and tension for many years, not only has good relations with its neighbouring countries but also has visa free border. There is a wonderful environment of environmental protection and conservation here and wonderful experiments of alternative education are on this land. I would not like to make any political review, this is everyone's internal matter but for a huge country like India, this small country can become an ideal and inspiration.
Today, to get this book released, I and my wife Krishna Kanta have come to the residence of the ambassador of this country in Delhi along with the noted Gandhian Veena Bahan . We have got an appointment at 4 o'clock in the evening and it is known to everyone that the Dutch people are very punctual. That is why we are present here about 20 minutes early.
Dutch Ambassador Marisa Gerards is renowned globally as an accomplished diplomat. She is currently in charge of India, Nepal and Bhutan. Prior to this, she has been the ambassador of her country in many African countries including South Africa and has also worked as a representative of her country in NATO. She is basically an expert in psychology, human rights and social values. Born and brought up in Amsterdam, this great woman is full of all human qualities. While living in India, her work is to strengthen the relations between the two countries in various fields through public dialogue and mutual successful experiences and creative experiments. Her residence is also located on Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Marg, Delhi (Aurangzeb Marg) and yes, this is the same house that the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, had bought for his residence just before independence and partition. As we know, he was very fond of buying and maintaining good property. But now this is the Ambassador's house, which gives satisfaction that this historic building is now safe in the hands of those people who lived in Europe and faced many wars and tensions with their neighbours but now they are living in a harmonious environment and this lesson is also inspiring for our two countries.
I believe that this residence of the Dutch Ambassador is not a coincidence but also a divine blessing.
Our meeting with H E the Ambassador was very cordial. She is deeply influenced by the basic elements of Gandhi's thoughts, non-violence and satyagraha. She has been associated with this while living in South Africa and is now trying to find that feeling everywhere.
She was very happy to get various information about the 39 chapters described in my book. She said that she and her husband Peter Knoope are very fond of the culture, civilization, history and morality of this most ancient country of the world, India, and they consider it their good fortune to come here. The phrase Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam is not just a conceived ideal but a way of living life which India has given to the whole world.
The kindness, simplicity and modesty of the Ambassador Madam gave a dignified glow to her face and her quick expression was such that for about one and a half hours of talking to us, she did not take off the Sarva Dharma Sambhav Chadar and Tricolor Angvastra given by us after wearing it and placed the fresh rose buds of the bouquet presented to her in a beautiful vessel filled with water and with such full emotions she accepted and dedicated my book.
Thanks and best wishes 💐
Ram Mohan Rai.
New Delhi.
26.03.2024
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