KOCHI: Dutch Ambassador to India Bob Hiensch said that his country was planning to prepare a map of Dutch heritage in Kerala and primary work for it would start by the end of May.
The Ambassador was in Kochi on Thursday to take part in the inauguration of David Hall Art Cafe, the centuries’-old Dutch Building at Fort Kochi, which has been renovated as art and cultural centre by the cgh Earth Group.
“Our plan is to carry out the scheme with the cooperation of local NGOs. We also seek the assistance of other authorities and civil societies in restoring a shared heritage. Apart from India, the Dutch had their presence in Indonesia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Surinam and Brazil,” Heinsch said. He said that the Netherlands had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Government of India for preserving Dutch monuments in India.
Hiensch, who holds a doctoral degree in political science from the University of Amsterdam, said that the people of Netherlands had great admiration for the democratic system in India. “The Netherlands have economic interests in India. If anybody from the Netherlands shows interest in investing in India, they would be encouraged, but the final decision is to be taken by the companies,” he said. Heinsch lauded the high rate of literacy in Kerala.
“We are on an effort to preserve the major archives of Dutch heritage in Tamil Nadu. For this, we are expecting the contribution of the NGOs and the local academic groups who have knowledge about the history of both countries. An exhibition on ‘Hortus Malabaricus, the precious book on the flora and fauna of Kerala written by Dutch commander Hendrik Adriaan Van Reede Tot Drakestein, is another programme envisaged,” he said.
Heinsch, who joined the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was appointed Ambassador to India one-and-an-half years ago. Earlier in 1974, Heinsch was elected city councillor in Loosdrecht and served in that capacity till his first diplomatic assignment in 1977. It is the second time he is visiting Kochi.
His first visit was in December 2008 for the Volvo Ocean Race.
