Nieuwe Kerk, a 15th-century royal church in Amsterdam which is the official venue for the Dutch Royal investiture ceremonies, lit up in Indian tricolour on Friday to mark the 69th Republic Day of India.
This was the first time ever that a prominent monument of the Netherlands was decked up in the Indian colours, said a statement issued here today by the Indian Embassy.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Interior Kajsa Ollongren was among those attended the diplomatic reception hosted by Indian Ambassador to the Netherlands Venu Rajamony.
A bicycle and Charkha used by Mahatma Gandhi, handwritten corrections of a speech by Martin Luther King Jr and Nelson Mandelas Robben Island Bible were displayed at the reception as part of an exhibition - 'We have a dream- Gandhi, King and Mandela' currently on display at De Nieuwe Kerk.
The exhibition narrates the inspiring stories of these leaders who led great movements against social injustice and also features iconic objects owned by each of the three leaders, the statement said.
In her speech, Ollongren pointed out that the Netherlands was one of the first countries to send Ambassadors to India even before it became independent and expressed confidence that relations between the two sides would soar in the future.
She lauded the Government of India's 'Smart City Mission' and Prime Minister Narendra Modis aim of creating 100 smart cities in India, the statement added.
Rajamony in his address said India was the fastest growing large economy in the world and has shown the world that democracy and rapid economic growth can go hand in hand.
Other Dutch dignitaries who attended the reception included Jan van Zanen, Mayor of the city of Utrecht, former foreign minister Bert Koenders, former health minister Edith Schippers, Rabin Baldersingh, Deputy Mayor of The Hague, Judge Dalveer Bhandari of the International Court of Justice, Ambassadors of severaln countries stationed in The Hague, senior Dutch officials and members of the Indian community.
Built in the 15th century, De Nieuwe Kerk is the Royal Church of the Netherlands and most recently was used for the investiture ceremony of King Willem-Alexander and also the wedding of King Willem-Alexander to Queen Maxima.
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