Dongri boy returns as Dutch commissioner
Dongri boy returns as Dutch commissioner
Jamil Meusen shaking a leg at a dandiya event in Bhayander. Photo by Nilesh Wairkar/ BCCL
As a three-year-old, he was a resident of Dongri children’s observation home, Now, as a 48-year-old, Jamil Meusen returns to the home to inspire the children and tell them that nothing is impossible.
Meusen, who was adopted by a couple in Netherlands when he was six, is now the police commissioner of a district in the Netherlands. On Monday, Meusen will speak to the children and also start some community development projects for the observation home.
Photo by: Nilesh Wairkar
Photo by: Nilesh Wairkar
“I have come to India with eight of my friends and they want to start some programmes to help the poor,” Meusen told Mumbai Mirror. Recalling his childhood, he said he was picked up by two constables when he was three or four years old and put in the Dongri Observation Home. “The life was miserable there.
From Dongri, I was taken to St Catherine’s Home and Orphanage in Dongri by a priest in 1974 from where I was adopted when I was six years old.” The Meusens are now in their 80s and live in Netherlands.
Photo by: Nilesh Wairkar
Photo by: Nilesh Wairkar
The memories of Mumbai have faded for him but he still tries to stay close to his roots. On Sunday, he participated in Navratri celebrations in Bhayander and even danced to the dandiya beats.
(Inset) Jamil Meusen with Additional CP Ravindra Shisve
(Inset) Jamil Meusen with Additional CP Ravindra Shisve
After his adoption, Jamil’s life changed. After his basic education in the Netherlands, he trained in the military academy and police academy and also did his masters in public administration. “I was an officer in the Army for 18 years and then in 2007, I joined the Netherlands police. Now, I am a commissioner of police and the chief of a district,” said Meusen. Meusen first returned to India in 1986 and then in 2013 and 2016. Additional Commissioner of Police Ravindra Shisve helped him connect with the people in Mumbai, said Meusen.
Dongri boy returns as Dutch commissioner01:21Dongri boy returns as Dutch commissioner
“In 2013, I was DCP of Zone 1 when our then police commissioner Satyapal Singh told me that Meusen was on an official duty here,” said Shisve. “He was attached to my office to study policing for 10 days and compare the system in his country and ours.” Around the same time, Shisve was told about Meusen’s Dongri connection. “Jamil always wanted to know where he came from. He is a very humble person and has the same humility even now. His intention is to do good and help the society,” said Shisve.
My advice to the children is - try to exploit every opportunity, pursue education and do your best. Don’t lose hope and fight all hardships
Jamil Meusen
When he first wanted to visit the Dongri home, Jamil was denied access as his records could not be found. But due to Shisve’s persistent efforts, Jamil could enter the home when he returned to Mumbai in 2016 with his wife Kelly and four sons. On this trip, Jamil is accompanied by one of his sons, Jay. “He is a very humble man and his intention is to give back to society,” added Shisve.
On Monday, he is slated to address the inmates of Children’s Home. “My advice to them is - try to exploit every opportunity, pursue education and do your best. Don’t lose hope and fight all hardships,” Jamil said, Superintendent of the Dongri children’s home, Trupti Jadhav, said, “We want the children to draw inspiration from Jamil.”
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