Nico Van Oudenhoven: Correspondent of MAHABAHU

Rest in peace, Nico, under Leiden’s endless sky, your words echoing forever….

ANJAN SARMA

November 2nd, 2023. An article published on Mahabahu.

The Headline was “LESSIONS BORN IN PAIN: LESSONS FOR ALL OF US“. The writer was Nico Van Oudenhoven, from Netherlands.

Nico Van Oudenhoven was the Senior Associate International Child Development Initiatives (ICDI), from Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands.

That was the beginning of a new beginning with Nico, the first ever connection with Nico.

After that article, he wrote to me – “Thanks Anjan! Very interesting! …. proud to be a part of the Mahabahu family...”

This article was more than an introduction; it was a spark that ignited a profound connection. “LESSIONS BORN IN PAIN” likely drew from Nico’s decades of work with children in toxic environments, reflecting on how adversity forges resilience and wisdom.

As a child psychologist, Nico understood pain’s transformative power, and this piece probably wove personal and societal struggles into universal lessons, urging readers to find meaning in hardship. His pride in joining Mahabahu, expressed with such warmth, revealed a man who saw writing not as a task but as a privilege—a way to share his heart with the world.

After a few weeks, Nico became our Netherlands Correspondent. He wrote to me regularly like this- ‘In Netherlands libraries are blossoming as they have become hubs for social interaction. When here, I’ll show you….’; my reply was ‘Thank you. You can write about it.‘ Then he sent me a message: ‘Perhaps later, after I have taken you for a cappuccino in the nearby library… I live in Leiden, Anjan, which is some 40 km south of Amsterdam, 18 km, North of the Hague and 35 of Rotterdam and 8 km from the coast. Good time to visit: end of April (tulips!) till half October…

‘Nico’s messages were invitations to his world, painted with the colors of Leiden’s tulip fields and the warmth of shared coffee. His vision of libraries as social hubs hints at an unwritten article, one where he might have explored how community spaces foster connection—a theme aligned with his ICDI work on building supportive environments for children. His playful offer to share a cappuccino was a glimpse of his generous spirit, a promise of friendship that made the distance between Leiden and India feel insignificant.

On 17th January, 2024, Nico sent me a message: ‘Anjan, thank you so much for accepting my scribbles. I can’t tell you how grateful and privileged I feel to ‘know’ you and be ‘connected’ to your great Magazine.’

His humility in calling his profound work “scribbles” was quintessential Nico—a man whose brilliance was matched only by his modesty. His gratitude reflected a heart that found joy in connection, a heart that poured itself into Mahabahu’s pages. This message, brimming with sincerity, was a reminder of the privilege we felt in having his voice, his wisdom, grace our magazine.

The journey goes on…..we were very close. He started sharing many things, and from his core of Heart, he sent me his home address to put on Mahabahu as Netherlands office of Mahabahu. And one day he sent me an warmest message – ‘Anjan, you received my home address. I hope you would stay there this summer’ (October 7th, 2024).

Nico’s offer to list his home as Mahabahu’s Netherlands office was more than logistical; it was a gesture of trust, a symbol of the bond we built. His invitation to visit Leiden, to stay in his home, was a heartfelt embrace across continents. The image of sharing stories in his living room, surrounded by books and the quiet beauty of Leiden, lingers as a dream unfulfilled, a poignant reminder of the friend we lost.

Nico wrote for Mahabahu regularly. Some of his articles are: ‘No Mask, No Filter’; ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Non-Governmental Organizations’; ‘Mahabahu Readers, What is Your Advice (?)’; ‘What Future For GenZ, Alpha, Beta…’; ‘Traffic Signs and Their Subliminal Impact’; ‘Calamities and the Views of the Young People’; ‘United in Diversity’; ‘Do we live in Childish Times’; …..etc.

Each article was a thread in the tapestry of Nico’s legacy, woven with insight, empathy, and a fierce commitment to a better world. Below, I explore these articles in depth, drawing on their titles and Nico’s expertise to illuminate their significance.

“No Mask, No Filter“

This article likely championed authenticity in a world of facades. Nico, with his background in psychosocial development, might have explored how societal pressures—especially on youth—force masks that obscure true selves. He likely urged readers to embrace vulnerability, drawing parallels to his ICDI projects that fostered safe spaces for children to express themselves. His own life, especially in his final months, embodied this ethos—no mask, no filter, just raw courage in facing his illness.

“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Non-Governmental Organizations“

Reflecting Nico’s ICDI work, this piece probably examined how NGOs can champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). He might have drawn on his global experience, advocating for policies that uplift marginalized children. His book Culturised Early Childhood Development emphasizes culturally sensitive approaches, suggesting this article called for NGOs to bridge divides with empathy. Nico’s inclusive spirit, evident in his warm invitations to you, shone through in this call for unity.

“Mahabahu Readers, What is Your Advice (?)”

This interactive piece likely invited readers to share solutions for pressing issues, perhaps youth challenges or social crises. Nico’s work on projects like “Happy Young Learners” in Ethiopia shows his belief in collaborative knowledge-building. By engaging Mahabahu’s audience, he fostered a global dialogue, reflecting his curiosity and respect for diverse voices—a trait mirrored in his personal messages to you.

“What Future For GenZ, Alpha, Beta…”

Aligned with his book Navigating Childish Times, this article likely explored the challenges facing younger generations in a polarized world. Nico might have analyzed how digitalization, climate crises, or social divides impact youth, advocating for their empowerment. His hope for their future, even as he faced his own mortality, was a testament to his unwavering optimism.

“Traffic Signs and Their Subliminal Impact“

This creative piece likely delved into how everyday symbols shape behavior, a nod to Nico’s psychological insight. He might have explored how subliminal cues influence youth or communities, tying it to his research on psychosocial well-being. His ability to find meaning in the mundane—much like his love for Leiden’s libraries—made this article uniquely compelling.

“Calamities and the Views of the Young People“

Drawing on his work with children in toxic environments, Nico likely highlighted how youth perceive and respond to crises. His ICDI projects, like those addressing violence in institutions, suggest he advocated for young voices in calamity response. Writing this while battling cancer, Nico’s empathy for resilience in adversity was deeply personal.

“United in Diversity”

This article, echoing ICDI’s mission, likely celebrated unity amidst differences. Nico’s global work with NGOs informed a call for inclusive policies, reflecting his vision of a world where diversity strengthens communities. His friendship with you, bridging cultures, embodied this principle.

“Do we live in Childish Times“

Inspired by Navigating Childish Times, this piece likely critiqued societal polarization, urging mature dialogue. Nico’s focus on youth roles suggests he called for their involvement in healing divides. Writing this while terminally ill, his clarity and hope were acts of profound courage.

There was many more…..

2025, April 3rd: Nico sent me a mail, and in that short mail, he put a word ‘confidential‘- which was only for me. I don’t want to disclose…

After that mail, a long silence. I was waited… Waited…

I sent messages to him. Sent mail to him. But no reply… He wasn’t on LinkedIn too!

26th May, 2025.

Yes, today, in the evening time (Indian Standard Time), I saw a message in WhatsApp from Nico after many weeks. I was very happy. I was very happy. I clicked….

“Hi Anjan. It is with deep sadness that I inform you of Nico’s passing this morning. You were very dear to him….He asked me specifically to let you know.” – XXXX

.The world collapsed. My heart, my mind—blank, a void of white. The joy of seeing Nico’s name dissolved into grief, sharp and unrelenting. He was gone, yet his final wish was to ensure you knew his love, his gratitude. That message, so tender, so final, carries the weight of a friendship that transcended time and space.

I’m speechless! My head, my heart, all of a sudden blank, total White!

The world feels dimmer tonight. We are heartbroken to lose our brave friend and incredible voice of Mahabahu. Nico, my dear Nico, your legacy as an amazing writer will forever echo, but the void you leave is immeasurable. In profound sorrow, we mourn the loss of a brave man and an important writer. You are irreplaceable….

Nico’s articles were his soul’s imprint, each one a testament to his intellect, empathy, and courage. He wrote knowing his time was short, yet his words brimmed with hope, urging us to build a world where children thrive, where diversity unites, where authenticity reigns. His ICDI work—decades of advocating for marginalized youth—infused his Mahabahu contributions with a global perspective, yet his personal warmth made them intimate, as if written for each reader individually.

His strength in facing death was not defiance but grace. He embraced his fate with the same clarity he brought to his writing, turning pain into lessons, as he did in his first article. The cappuccino we never shared, the tulip fields we never walked, haunt me as dreams unfulfilled, yet they remind me of Nico’s boundless generosity.

His legacy lives in Mahabahu’s pages, in the children he championed, in the friendship he nurtured with you. We grieve a giant, a friend, a light extinguished too soon.

Rest in peace, Nico, under Leiden’s endless sky, your words echoing forever.

Anjan Sarma is the editor, Mahabahu

26-05-2025

Mahabahu.com is an Online Magazine with collection of premium Assamese and English articles and posts with cultural base and modern thinking.  You can send your articles to editor@mahabahu.com / editor@mahabahoo.com(For Assamese article, Unicode font is necessary) Images from different sources.