Indians living in Indonesia celebrate 77th Independence Day with joy
By Veeramalla Anjaiah
Members of the Indian community living in Indonesia celebrated their 77th Independence Day with joy at the India House in Jakarta on Aug. 15, 2023.
On Aug. 15, 1947, India had attained its freedom from the British colonialism.
Indian Ambassador-designate to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty has unfurled India’s national tricolour flag. Ambassador Sandeep has read out the speech of Indian President Droupadi Murmu. It was her address to the nation on the eve of the 77th Independence Day in New Delhi on Aug, 14, 2023.
In her address, the President said each Indian has many identities but apart from caste, creed, language, region, family and profession, “there is one identity” that is above all as the “citizen of India”.
“Each one of us is an equal citizen; each one of us has an equal opportunity, equal rights and equal duties in this land,” Droupadi said in her speech.
“But it was not always so. India is the mother of democracy and since ancient times we had democratic institutions functioning at the grassroots. But long years of colonial rule wiped them out. On 15th August 1947, the nation woke up to a new dawn. We not only won freedom from foreign rule but also the freedom to rewrite our destiny,” she said.
According to Murmu, women are contributing extensively in every field of development and service to the country and are enhancing the nation’s pride.
“Today our women have made their special place in many such fields in which their participation was unimaginable a few decades ago,” Murmu said.
She said that the economic empowerment of women is being given special focus in the country.
“Economic empowerment strengthens the position of women in the family and society. I urge all fellow citizens to give priority to women empowerment. I would like our sisters and daughters to overcome challenges with courage and move ahead in life. Development of women was among the ideals of our freedom struggle,” Murmu said.
Murmu highlighted India’s presidency at the G-20 summit this year and said the grouping represents two-thirds of the world and India can nudge decision-making in trade and finance towards equitable progress.
“Beyond trade and finance, matters of human development too are on the agenda. There are many global issues that concern all humanity and are not limited by geographical boundaries. I am confident that with India’s proven leadership in dealing with global issues, member nations will be able to advance effective action on these fronts,” Murmu said.
“Our country has entered the ‘Amrit Kaal’ with new resolutions and we are moving forward towards making India an inclusive and developed nation by the year 2047. Let us all take a pledge to perform our fundamental duty to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity so that the nation constantly rises to higher levels of endeavor and achievement”.
In his speech, Ambassador Sandeep appreciated the fast growing relations between India and Indonesia. With US$39 billion bilateral trade in 2022, Indonesia is the largest trading partner of India in Southeast Asia. India wants to help Indonesia in many ways.
“India wants to help Indonesia in increasing in production of value added products in place of raw materials. Many Indian companies are interested in investing in Indonesia,” Sandeep said.
He wants to enhance the existing Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Indonesia to the new levels in the coming years.
Sandeep said that both countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2024.
“We want to celebrate the 75 years of diplomatic relations with Indonesia in a big way,” Sandeep said.
Indian Ambassador to ASEAN Jayant N. Khobragade, diplomatic staff of Indian Embassy and Indian Mission to ASEAN, members of the Indian diaspora and friends of India in Indonesia in large numbers attended the colorful celebration.
Several school children from various schools sang the patriotic songs and performed the beautiful dances at the 77th India’s Independence Day celebrations in Jakarta.
There was also a photo exhibition of Indian freedom fighters at the India House.
By Veeramalla Anjaiah, a senior journalist based in Jakarta.
