Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on a visit to the Netherlands. During an event organised in his honour by the Indian community in The Hague, he highlighted their contributions. Commencing his address, he remarked, “Such immense love and enthusiasm… to be honest, for a moment, I completely forgot that I was in the Netherlands. It feels just as if a festival is underway somewhere back in India.”
Expressing his pride in the contributions of the Indian community, he stated, “Every Indian takes pride in the contributions you make to Dutch society and the local economy here. On this occasion today, I wish to express my gratitude to the people and the government of the Netherlands. I convey my best wishes to the people of this country on behalf of the 1.4 billion citizens of India.”
Touching upon India’s contributions to the world and the richness of Indian culture, the Prime Minister further added, “For many families seated here, your story is not merely a tale of migration; it is a saga of progress achieved amidst numerous struggles and deep-rooted cultural convictions. In those times, no one could have imagined that—even after crossing two oceans—the Indian identity would remain so vibrant and alive. Your ancestors left much behind, yet certain things remained with them: the fragrance of their native soil, the spirit of their festivals, the melodies of their bhajans, and the values instilled by their forebears. Over the passage of time, many cultures have faded away, yet India’s diverse culture continues to beat vibrantly within the hearts of its people.”
PM Modi observed, “Your surroundings may have changed, but your family values have remained unaltered; your sense of belonging and warmth remains undiminished. You embraced the Dutch language, yet you never abandoned the language of your ancestors. Our community radio stations are immensely popular here; through these stations, our culture and music continue to gain popularity. You are successfully passing on our cultural heritage to future generations. This is truly commendable, and you deserve to be congratulated.”
