Life has a way of weaving the unexpected into a narrative of purpose and transformation. A young girl, facing the traumatic times brought to fore by the Gulf War in 1990, scripted a story of building foundation of an extraordinary life across continents after facing a tsunami effects coming out of war. From navigating the complexities of Dutch law and politics to building bridges between India and the Netherlands, Prachee Van Brandenburg speaks the story of resilience, adaptability, and the relentless pursuit of growth.
Her sojourn starting as a temporary stay in the Netherlands evolved into a lifelong journey filled with milestones: mastering a foreign language, excelling in international law, serving in Dutch civil service, and making history in local politics. Along the way, Prachee became a trailblazer for women of Indian origin, championing diversity, fostering collaboration, and inspiring others to embrace cultural exchange.
She speaks story of a woman who turned challenges into opportunities, by blending heritage with her adopted home to create a legacy of meaningful impact.
At the age of 16, a twist in global events changed the trajectory of this young girl’s life forever. The First Gulf War in 1990, triggered by Saddam Hussein, forced her to leave her boarding school in Bahrain, located on an American Naval Base, and return to the Netherlands. At the time, her father was working with a Dutch company in Riyadh. Reflecting on that period, she acknowledges that, had the war not occurred, her life might have followed a very different path, far from the Netherlands where she ultimately built her home.
Back in the Netherlands, she completed the final year of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. Although she initially considered studying in the UK after graduating, she chose to remain in the Netherlands—a seemingly small decision that would profoundly shape her future.
A Journey into Law and Language
Enrolling in Leiden University to study International Law, she saw it as a temporary phase, intending to leave after graduation. However, opportunities to move in kept coming and going however she decided to stay. This decision brought new challenges, particularly mastering Dutch, which was essential for her studies. While she spoke this language fluently, her experience abroad left her unprepared for the complexities of writing, especially in the legal field.
Specialising in Air and Space Law, she began her career with a brief stint at the university before joining the Dutch Ministry of Transport and Water Management. Here, as a negotiator, legal advisor, and senior policy officer, she drafted high-level documents for Parliament and navigated international negotiations, including representing the Netherlands in ministerial delegations to India. Working in a predominantly male and hierarchical environment, she overcame cultural barriers, balanced expectations, and built a strong professional network over her 13-year tenure.
A Global Perspective
After leaving civil service, she sought to give her children a chance to experience life abroad. The family moved to India for a year and later to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During this period, she embraced the role of a “trailing spouse,” taking a semi-sabbatical from work while continuing to learn from new cultures and experiences.
In 2014, she returned to the Netherlands with her sons to care for her terminally ill mother. This challenging period taught her resilience and deepened her respect for single parents. Her journey took another significant turn in 2018 when she entered Dutch politics, standing for local elections in Leiderdorp. She became the first Maharashtrian woman elected to a Dutch municipal council and now serves as a party leader for D66, holding a second term. Politics brought its own linguistic challenges, requiring her to further refine her Dutch language skills.
In 2023, she ran for the Dutch Senate as the 14th candidate on the D66 nationwide ballot. Although her party lost seats, the campaign was a valuable experience, allowing her to connect with a diverse array of people and ideas.
Building Bridges Between India and the Netherlands
Beyond politics, she runs her consultancy and works tirelessly to strengthen ties between India and the Netherlands. As Vice-Chairman of the India Dutch Financial Corridor (IDFC), she has played a key role in launching initiatives like the TiE Amsterdam chapter and Women Entrepreneurs Connect (WEC). WEC focuses on connecting Indian women entrepreneurs and corporate leaders, fostering collaboration and amplifying their visibility on international platforms.
A Life of Balance and Reflection
Her professional achievements are complemented by her contributions to Diversity & Inclusion programs, personal coaching, and cross-cultural training. Despite a busy schedule, she cherishes moments of tranquility, finding pure bliss in reading a book under the sun with a cup of chai in hand.
For her, learning Dutch was not just a linguistic challenge but a gateway to understanding Dutch culture, its people, and its perspectives. Starting with children’s books and daily soaps, she discovered that a small effort in understanding a language could open doors to deeper connections.
Looking to the future, she is committed to growing her business, fostering India-Netherlands collaborations, and giving back to the communities that have shaped her remarkable journey.