Dutch Mayor's Lifelong Quest: From Nagpur Orphan to Finding His Roots
A baby boy entered the world in Nagpur on February 10, 1985. His unwed mother faced a difficult situation. She made the heartbreaking decision to leave her newborn at a city shelter within three days of his birth. This marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey.
A New Life in the Netherlands
A Dutch couple visiting Mumbai learned about the infant a month later. They decided to adopt him. The child received the name Falgun Binnendijk from a compassionate nurse at Nagpur's Matru Seva Sangh shelter. She chose the name based on the Hindu calendar month of his birth.
Falgun grew up in the Netherlands. He enjoyed a protected and affluent upbringing. This stable environment set the stage for a fulfilling life. He pursued a career in public service with dedication. His efforts bore fruit in 2024 when he became the mayor of Heemstede. This prosperous town lies in north Holland, approximately 30 kilometers from Amsterdam.
The Unfinished Business
On the surface, this story presents a perfect happy ending. A tragic beginning transformed into a successful life. However, Falgun's inner world tells a different tale. He has long made peace with being an adopted child. Yet, a deep yearning persists within him.
He often thinks about the epic Mahabharata. The character Karna, secretly born to Kunti and set adrift, resonates with him. Like Karna, Falgun feels a restless need to meet his own "Kunti"—his biological mother. This quest has become a central part of his life.
Returning to Nagpur
Falgun first felt a strange familiarity with India during a tourist visit at age eighteen. That connection has drawn him back to Nagpur three times. His most recent trip in December 2025 proved unexpectedly fruitful.
A team led by Vinod Jadhav, a senior district administration official, worked tirelessly. They managed to trace a retired nurse who was present at Matru Seva Sangh when Falgun arrived as an infant. Astonishingly, she was the very nurse who gave him his name.
"It was overwhelming for me to hear her recall everything," Falgun told TOI. "I had just met the woman who gave me my identity." This emotional encounter provided a crucial link to his past.
The Search for Records
During a previous visit in August 2024, Falgun approached Matru Seva Sangh directly. He hoped to trace his original birth records. This visit occurred seven years after he formally began his mission to find his mother.
Municipal commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari and district collector Vipin Itankar mobilized all available resources. Officials managed to retrieve limited documentation. These papers confirmed his date of birth and his mother's name. They also verified she was an unwed mother at the time. Unfortunately, the documents contained no address.
"At the time, I felt maybe this is it," Falgun recalled. "Everything in my life was complete except this unfinished business." The lack of a concrete lead was disheartening.
Family Support and Inspiration
Falgun's Dutch wife provides constant encouragement. She keeps prodding him to continue the search. Together, they have four children. Reading the Mahabharata has further fueled his determination. The story of Kunti and Karna mirrors his own longing.
"Every Karna deserves, and must have the right to meet his Kunti," he stated firmly. This belief drives his ongoing efforts.
Hopes for a Reunion
Now forty years old, Falgun sometimes imagines a potential meeting. He believes it would offer catharsis for his mother as much as a long-awaited reunion for him.
"I believe she may be living in guilt, thinking she did something unpardonable," he said. "I just want to meet her once and tell her that I have a beautiful life, and her child grew up loved."
He has already honored her in a significant way. Falgun named his daughter after her biological grandmother. This act symbolizes his enduring connection to his origins.
The mayor plans to return to Nagpur next year. He remains committed to resuming his search. His journey from an abandoned infant to a Dutch public figure continues, with the hope of finally closing the circle and finding the woman who gave him life.
