Latest news with #King'sDay
Business Recorder
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Minister meets Dutch Ambassador
LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Malik Faisal Ayub Khokhar, held a significant meeting with H.E. Henny de Vries, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Pakistan, as attend the King's Day celebrations here in Lahore. The meeting underscored the growing importance of sports diplomacy in fostering international relations and youth engagement. On the occasion, the Minister highlighted key initiatives of the Sports Department Punjab, particularly those launched under the leadership of Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif. These initiatives are designed to enhance sports infrastructure, promote youth participation, and revive traditional sports across the province. Minister Khokhar expressed a strong desire to collaborate with the Netherlands, with a specific focus on hockey—a sport historically cherished by both nations. He emphasized the potential for technical cooperation, capacity building, and mutual exchange programs to support player development, coaching, and sports science. The discussions were further enriched by the presence of legendary Dutch hockey player Floris Jan Bovelander and Pakistan's celebrated Olympian Touqeer Dar, symbolizing the shared legacy and passion for hockey. Both legends shared insights on the development of the sport and opportunities to mentor young athletes. Ambassador Henny de Vries welcomed the proposals and affirmed the Netherlands' commitment to fostering sports-based partnerships. 'Such partnerships can play a pivotal role in building bridges of friendship and excellence through sports diplomacy,' he remarked. He praised the Punjab government's proactive approach to youth and sports development and expressed optimism for future collaborations. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Hindustan Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Much ado about May, moods & mangoes
The start of this Summer seems as though a looming, leaden Cumulonimbus has swallowed half of the ripening sun. Summer's bright palettes appear to be muted and mellowed by stark shadows. The season of the sizzling sun heralds its own palettes. Political colours to botanical colours, street palettes to sporting hues. On the political canvas, from Pahalgam to the Pope's passing, Summer signalled a stark start. Black and grey look to be the palettes heralding the month of May. Take the Pope's funeral. In a world grappling with wars and terror, black, but naturally, mirrored the mood of the moment. Literally and figuratively. Melancholy moments Most heads of states stuck to customary black mourning couture. Trust Trump to stick out like a sore thumb there too and turn up instead in bizarre blue. The quintessential odd man out. The one place where blue was but befitting was on IPL sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi's shoulders. The curious case of 'When in Rome, Do Not Do As the Romans Do'. Mango moods Closer home, the start of summer is seeing a splash of orange. From the King's Day festivities at the Dutch embassy to the burst of orange on the streets. Mangoes making this season's debut on middle-class India's humble stage -- the thhele-wallahs and pheri-wallahs. The groggy Gulmohars fluttering open their eyelids from winter's sleep to kiss Summer with scarlet lips. The sea of orangy yellowness on the streets --- mangoes landing and lording it --- brings back memories of another day, another time. Childhood was a time when mangoes came not as a trickle, but as a pouring called petis. Childhood was a time when the King of Fruits was not so dear that only a handful made it into Big Basket or Blinkit's brown bag. Childhood was a bumpy bylane where half the fun and frolic lay in felling or stealing ambis from neighbours' trees, with weaponry made of pellets to pebbles. Childhood was a sprawling vehra where mangoes meant community bonding, over the peeling, pruning and pickling of ambis and aams. A community bonding as sweet as mango murabbas, as healthy as aam pannas. Childhood was a bountiful bageecha where the coming of a summer storm spelt holiday homework. 'Oh dear, all those luscious mangoes meeting an untimely death!' the matriarchs would roar a requiem louder than the storm upon surveying the 'king's' casualties. 'Get to work, bachchas, time for the holiday projects.' This meant grovelling in groves for storm's shaheeds, to grant them a new lease of life in chutneys and curries. For those who miss that sensory experience, that ritualism of revelry inherent in the unboxing of mango petis, the digital age promises newer narratives. Mango petis at the doorstep, thanks to many an App. The other day, an ad kept popping up on YouTube, like niggling neon screens at an IPL stadium. 'Get mangoes direct from farms, straight from farmers, minus middlemen,' the marketeer bloke bleated. All that needs to be done, the commercial chortled, is to download the App. The curious case of Digital India bridging the gap. Summer fury Orange ruled elsewhere, too. Alas, this had to do not with things mouth-lickin, but with a licking that spelt loss. Leaping, licking flames of fury consumed the culture-scape that is Dilli Haat. Brocades and Bhagalpuris of artisans from Farrukhabad to Bengal, precious pashminas to papier mache of Kashmiri craftsmen who had rebuilt lives and livelihoods after the exodus of the 1990s from the Valley, all turned to ghastly grey ashes in this sea of furious and fuming orange. What a sad commentary that fire extinguishers were scarcely in working condition and exit points stood clogged or closed. Summer's angry ochres to raging reds --- The united colours of loss, lament and livelihoods gutted 'n' gone. The furious case of there's no smoke without fire. chetnakeer@
Atlantic
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Atlantic
Photos of the Week: May Day, Fire Festival, Finger Wrestling
A sandstorm in northeastern Syria, the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican, a motorcycle-sidecar race in England, a restored artificial grotto in Bavaria, King's Day celebrations in the Netherlands, a giant birdsong amplifier in Slovakia, a stormtrooper surfing in France, and much more
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
New Delhi glows orange for Dutch King's day celebrations
Thursday evening in New Delhi shimmered in shades of orange, as guests gathered to celebrate Koningsdag, King's Day, which marks the birthday of King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. From socks and bags to marigold garlands, everyone embraced the signature Dutch hue, capturing the cheerful spirit of the occasion. The evening was a blend of festivity and flavour, with a delightful spread of traditional Dutch treats like Poffertjes, Bitterballen, and Hutspot. Laughter, music, and stories of both nations echoed through the air, creating a sense of connection and shared joy. But amidst the cheer, there was also a moment of solemn reflection. The celebrations honoured the memory of those lost in the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Marisa Gerards, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to India, opened her address with a tribute: 'For the first time in five years, we're celebrating in New Delhi, marking the birthday of the King. We are all shocked and deeply saddened by the horrific terrorist attack in Kashmir, and we offer our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims.' She went on to paint a vivid picture of how King's Day unfolds across the Netherlands: 'Across our cities, towns, and communities, this day serves as a reflection on our heritage, our values, and the unity that binds us as a nation. It's a day full of joy, the only day when you don't need any special permission to sell things. Everyone's clearing out attics and garages, selling second-hand items, baking, cooking, and, of course, my favourite, apple pie on the streets. There's lots of music and games being played. That's how we celebrate in Amsterdam, and, of course, there's lots and lots of orange!' Chief guest of the evening, Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, said, "India–Netherlands ties are intensifying. If you look at the areas of collaboration, they range from water management to agriculture, health, education, and more. There are also strong sporting links especially in field hockey. We have Dutch coaches training our teams, and Indian players who have competed in the Dutch league. Dutch football enjoys a strong following in India as well. And now, it's wonderful to see you're playing cricket and even Kho Kho!' A special moment came when Saskia Rao-de Haas, a renowned cellist and composer from the Netherlands now based in New Delhi, was conferred the Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau—a Dutch royal honour awarded for exceptional service to society.
Time of India
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
King's Day celebrated with a pop of orange
Marigolds and Dutch delicacies welcomed guests as they arrived to mark King's Day at the Netherlands Embassy . Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Tanmaya Lal was the chief guest at the event, where cellist and music composer Saskia Rao-de Haas was conferred the Dutch royal honour – the Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau, awarded by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now KING'S DAY SERVES AS A REFLECTION ON OUR HERITAGE: DUTCH AMBASSADOR Dutch Ambassador Marisa Gerards began by paying tribute to the victims of the Pahalgam terror at tack. 'We were all shocked by the horrific attack in Kashmir, and we offer our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of India. Our thoughts are with the victims, and our thoughts are with their loved ones,' she said. During the event, she shared the significance of the day for the Dutch community. 'King's Day is not only about festivity – it also serves as a reflection of our heritage, our values, and the unity that binds us as a nation. It is the day when people bake, there's a lot of music and games – and lots of orange.' Tanmaya Lal shared that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was due to attend the event but could not due to unforeseen circumstances. 'India and the Netherlands' ties are intensifying across many fields, led by high-level engagement that continues to grow in frequency,' he added. Orange is the new black Following the dress code, guests arrived in their finest orange ensembles. From shoes to saris and turbans — with some carrying orange stoles — attendees followed the theme to the T. The Dutch Ambassador also wore an orange Indian jacket with intricate designs. Saskia Rao-de Haas and her husband Shubhendra Rao performed at the event. Saskia said, 'I am honoured to receive this recognition... Music has been my lifelong passion and a bridge between our two nations (Netherlands and India). I am so fortunate that my journey is a joint one that I have taken together with my husband'
