I
India and Indonesia share strong historical ties that include the trade and maritime links between
Kalinga (the current day Odisha) and Indonesia (Java, Sumatra, Bali, and Borneo). We have Bali Yatra
in Orissa to commemorate that link…Ramayana and Mahabharata are popular in Indonesia…
India and Indonesia are celebrating seventy years of friendship; it’s the success of cordial productive
diplomatic relations. Bali Jatra is auspicious and important for India as well as Indonesia. We will be
celebrating it like last year too; we had organized several programmes related to it. We have deep-rooted and
historical cultural ties with Delhi, Kolkata and Bhubaneswar and many cultural programmes like exhibitions,
Balinese food festivals and book launches etc were organized in three cities across India
We are going to put up the stalls showcasing our products, handicrafts, products, food and other things. We
will also be brining “Bina Suci”. (Bima Suci is the Indonesian Navy’s newest, and largest, sail training ship.
The vessel is named after Javanese hero that was a symbol of force, bravery and righteousness. This beautiful
ship acts as a "floating ambassador" for Indonesia, paying courtesy visits to port and events around the world.)
Should we think of setting up the India Research corner and Indonesia Research corner in our
countries? It would be an important step in increasing awareness not just about the historical ties?
Oh yes! We do promote researches, cultural exchange education etc projects. Ramayana troupes, in cultural
exchange programmes to visit India and vice versa, to research to get more deep and close knowledge of our
culture and common heritage and deepen the ties.
It’s a long story but yes, the harmony and good-will will open up endless opportunities in the future as well.
14 SOCULTURES JAN-FEB 2019