Nagpur-born Dutch Mayor's Emotional Quest for Roots
Falgun Binnendijk wakes up each morning in the Netherlands. He stares at the pristine canals outside his window. A deep yearning for his umbilical roots fills his heart. The Mayor of Heemstede, a town just 30 kilometers from Amsterdam, was born in Nagpur. His life began under difficult circumstances.
Abandoned as a Newborn in Nagpur
Official records tell a poignant story. Falgun entered this world on February 10, 1985. His 21-year-old unmarried mother surrendered him just three days later. She left the infant at Matru Sewa Sangh on Ambazari Road in Nagpur. This institution shelters abandoned babies and women in distress.
The tiny baby remained at the shelter for about a month. A compassionate nurse there gave him his name. She called him Falgun after the month of his birth. February is Falgun in the Hindu calendar. Weeks passed. Legal adoption procedures began.
Adoption and Life in the Netherlands
A Dutch couple adopted the infant. They first took him to Mumbai. Then they brought him to the Netherlands. Falgun grew up in a well-to-do household. He knew nothing about India during his childhood. The country was merely a distant speck on maps in his geography books.
"Adoption was never concealed from me," Falgun told TOI during his recent Nagpur visit. "It was like an open book." His adoptive parents were transparent about his origins. This openness allowed curiosity to slowly strike root within him.
First Visit to India and Growing Curiosity
Falgun first visited India in 2006. He was 18 years old then. He traveled as a tourist, exploring various regions including south India. Something remarkable happened during this trip. People kept approaching him and speaking in Hindi. They naturally assumed he was Indian.
This experience created an inexplicable sense of familiarity. The trip planted a deeper curiosity about his origins. For several years, this curiosity remained alive within him. Then he felt a stronger calling to understand his roots.
The Mahabharata Connection
Another major catalyst emerged from ancient literature. Falgun read the Mahabharata. The character of Karna and his relationship with Kunti touched him deeply. "Every Karna deserves and must have the right to meet his Kunti," he says with conviction. This philosophical insight strengthened his resolve.
Returning to Nagpur with Purpose
Falgun returned to India with clear purpose in 2017. This time he came directly to Nagpur. He approached Matru Seva Sangh, hoping to trace records related to his surrender. The institution retrieved limited documentation. They found his date of birth and his biological mother's name.
Unfortunately, critical details were missing. Addresses were not recorded. Decades had passed since his abandonment. "We tried, but we couldn't reach her. At that point, I felt maybe this is it," he recalls with disappointment.
Political Career and Family Life
Falgun returned to the Netherlands after the unsuccessful search. He built a life defined by public service. He entered politics and eventually became Mayor of Heemstede. He got married and became a father of four children.
Yet something felt incomplete. "Everything in my life was complete, but there was something unfinished," he explains. His wife recognized this lingering emptiness. She nudged him to resume the search for his biological mother.
Recent Search Efforts with Official Assistance
In August 2024, Falgun returned to Nagpur again. This time he sought official assistance. Municipal Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari and District Collector Vipin Itankar provided support. They enabled access to older records and facilitated inter-departmental coordination.
Officials explored archives thoroughly. Once again, the search hit a wall. Missing information and the passage of time created significant obstacles.
December 2025 Breakthrough
Falgun returned once more in December 2025. Government officials and his team made progress this time. Senior district administration official Vinod Jadhav led the effort. They traced a retired nurse who worked at Matru Sewa Sangh during Falgun's surrender.
The team visited her residence. During their meeting, an emotional realization occurred. This retired nurse was the very person who named him Falgun four decades earlier. She remembered the infant, the month of his birth, and the circumstances of his admission.
Emotional Reunion with the Nurse
Falgun understood he had unknowingly met one of the first people in his life. Both were moved to tears by this unexpected connection. "It was overwhelming for me," he shared. "I had just met the woman who gave me my name — my identity."
This emotional encounter provided some closure. Yet the search for his biological mother continues.
Thoughts About His Biological Mother
Falgun reflects on the woman who gave him life. "I believe she may be living in guilt, thinking she had done something unpardonable," he says. His voice softens as he continues. "I just want to meet her once and tell her that I am okay, I have a beautiful life, and that her child grew up loved."
Family Support and Future Plans
During his most recent visit, Falgun brought his entire family. His wife and four children accompanied him to Nagpur. He has given his children both Indian and Dutch names. He named his daughter after his biological mother, honoring her memory.
Falgun remains determined. He plans to return to Nagpur next year. The search for his roots continues. Each visit brings him closer to understanding his origins and potentially meeting the woman who brought him into this world.
