Mumbai: Adv. Pranita Adwait Deshpande, President of the Netherlands Yogasana Sports Association (NYSA), met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at Mantralaya in Mumbai on Wednesday. She was accompanied by her husband, Adwait Deshpande, an ICC/KNCB Umpire, and their son, Ansh Deshpande.
During the meeting, Adv. Deshpande presented the Chief Minister with her three published books and a replica of Johannes Vermeer’s iconic 17th-century Dutch painting Girl with a Pearl Earring, symbolising her strong ties to the Netherlands. She also handed over a special memento on behalf of NYSA, underscoring the organisation’s growing influence in Europe under her leadership.
Adv. Deshpande briefed the Chief Minister on NYSA’s initiatives to promote Yogasana as a sport across the Netherlands. She explained how the association has been instrumental in propagating yoga as a discipline on the international stage, blending its cultural roots in India with global sporting recognition.
The discussion also touched upon her professional contributions to international justice and human rights through her work with the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
In addition to her work in Yogasana, Adv. Deshpande highlighted her entrepreneurial journey with Ansh Overseas B.V., an import-export company she founded in the Netherlands. The company is dedicated to representing and expanding the reach of Indian agricultural products across Europe.
She also shared her personal journey since moving to the Netherlands in 2017, including her successful integration into Dutch society and proficiency in the Dutch language.
On a personal note, Adv. Deshpande fondly recalled her grandfather, the Late Vasudeorao Manbhekar, former Vidarbha Pramukh of the RSS. She emphasised how her cultural heritage and family values continue to inspire her work and global achievements.
The meeting was described as both meaningful and symbolic, reflecting the intersection of India’s cultural heritage, global diplomacy, and entrepreneurial spirit through Adv. Deshpande’s multifaceted contributions.
