Indonesians, families celebrate pre-Independence Day

Islamabad : Undeterred by the rain weather, over 300 Indonesian nationals and their families came together at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia here to kick off celebrations for the 79th anniversary of their country's Independence Day on August 17.

Ferry J. Murdiansyah, head of the embassy’s Independence Day 2024 Committee, expressed gratitude for attendees from Rawalpindi, Lahore, Gujrat, Sialkot, Faisalabad, and Abbottabad. He also appreciated coordinators for supporting the embassy in protecting Indonesian nationals in Pakistan.

The event featured a range of activities, starting with a fun walk through the Diplomatic Enclave. Participants, clad in red and white T-shirts symbolising the Indonesian flag, covered a distance of three kilometres before returning to the embassy for refreshments and surprise gifts.

The celebration continued with a series of competitive games - Lomba 17an in the Indonesian language - including badminton, table tennis, volleyball, and futsal.

Traditional Indonesian games were also a highlight, featuring tug of war (Tarik Tambang), wooden clog race (Lomba Bakiak), sack race (Balap Karung), spoon-marble race (Lomba Kelereng), and colouring contests for children.

The activities not only provided entertainment but also showcased Indonesia’s cultural heritage and emphasised the themes of unity and camaraderie.

Indonesian charge d'affaire Rahmat Hindiarta Kusuma reflected on the significance of the fun walk, linking it to the historical struggles for independence and quoting the country’s first president, Sukarno, about independence as a bridge to justice and prosperity.

He also introduced "New Nusantara, Advanced Indonesia" as the theme for the 79th Independence Day, highlighting the ambitious plan to relocate the capital from Jakarta to Nusantara City. He described Nusantara as a "vision for a more sustainable future for Indonesia."

Attendees like Muna, an Indonesian married to a Pakistani from Kasur, and Andalusia from Abbottabad, expressed enjoyment of the event and the opportunity to connect with their community.

Food stalls run by Indonesian students added to the festivities, offering popular dishes such as rendang (spicy meat), nasi goreng (fried rice), nasi padang (steamed rice with various dishes), mei goreng (fried noodles), and soto (traditional soups).

The embassy also acknowledged the support of travel agencies including Omar Travel, Super Crown Travel, Destiny Holiday Planners, A2Z Travel Solutions, Marwa Travel, Shelozon MPL, Al-Zohra Travel & Tours, OZ Travel & Tours, Akhtar Travel & Tours and Crown International Travel, for making the event possible.

It announced the Indonesian Expo 2024 at Centaurus Mall in the capital city from August 16 to August 18 and the flag hoisting ceremony on its premises on August 17 as the main events for Independence Day celebrations.