Rotterdam Travel Forum

Hi all,
I know this is long overdue. I was in Rotterdam in June 2007 to write the biography of Indian flute maestro Hariprasad Chaurasia who teaches at the conservatory there. Consequently the book has a 27-page chapter on Holland/Rotterdam. The book was launched on his 70th birthday at Mumbai India on 1 July 2008 by India’s biggest movie star, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. A photograph of the event is on my VT home page. Hariprasad Chaurasia has been made an OFFICIER in the Order of Oranje-Nassau by the Dutch Minister for Education and Culture on 12 November 2008. I believe it is a big honour. Can someone please tell me what this is all about?
I wish to say thank you to the beautiful and friendly people of Rotterdam who made my stay there very memorable. VT member ATLC went out of her way to show me around the city and drove me over the 3 bridges. There were some though – no names – who did not even respond to my mail, but that’s OK. Everyone these days is suspicious of people from so-called third world countries.
I hope to be back in Rotterdam someday. Loved the place!!
If any one of you is coming to my home town of Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) please contact me. I will be more than happy to show you around the city.
Warmest regards to all you Rotterdamers
Surjit

Great news and go to see you had a great time with ATLC (she's our best Dutch member!).

The OFFICIER in the Order of Oranje-Nassau is an exclusive distinction that not many people receive.

PJ

Am delighted about your book and would love to receive a copy somehow.
The Award is always assigned by the Dutch Queen to someone with special achievements. So it is a royal award. Chaurasia received one of the higher orders, (Officer is higher than Knight _ridder_).