A lesson for the elite<\/p>\n
For the grassroots population in Indonesia, National
\nIndependence Day, which falls on Aug. 17, is a time for public
\nfestivities. In neighborhoods throughout the country, people
\ncollect funds door to door to finance the various events they
\norganize to celebrate the big day.<\/p>\n
Every year on the eve of Aug. 17 we see people gathering
\naround their neighborhood community meeting places, cooking,
\ngrilling chicken and eating together. National Day, for the
\ncommon Indonesian man and woman, is truly a people's feast and
\nparty, and to celebrate it families are willing to spend more
\nmoney than they normally do in their daily lives.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, one question is worth asking: What does all this
\nfestivity really mean for the common Indonesian?<\/p>\n
To some extent, it might be the historical awareness that Aug.
\n17 is a sacred moment in the nation's history that deserves to be
\nremembered. Some may believe that this is truly a manifestation
\nof the people's nationalist spirit.<\/p>\n
Whatever the case, the Independence Day festivities are an
\neagerly awaited event. From the recreational point of view it is
\napparent that families at the grassroots level lack daily
\nopportunities for entertainment, and so, games and performances
\nthat are held in their residential areas become diversions that
\nare worth attending.<\/p>\n
The annual festivities also become a time for social mingling
\namong residents, given the fact there is little space or time for
\nthem to meet each other in such a friendly and merry atmosphere.<\/p>\n
By joining hands in financing the festivities and organizing
\nthe events together, the common Indonesian individual gives
\nevidence that the spirit of togetherness and tolerance is still
\nalive among them. And in their own personal perspectives, the
\ncelebrations could give them back their feeling of pride in being
\nan Indonesian.<\/p>\n
Independence Day, therefore, is a clear social adhesive for
\npeople in the lowest strata of our society. On that day, at
\nleast, people don't care about differences in ethnicity, religion
\nor political beliefs and groupings. All are members of one
\ncommunity imbued by a spirit of togetherness -- not just a group
\nof people subscribing to differing, and often conflicting,
\npolitical or business interests.<\/p>\n
There is an important lesson to be learned in all this for the
\npolitical elite: they too should try to maintain that spirit of
\ntogetherness in the community as being one of the nation's most
\nimportant assets. They should also encourage people at the
\ngrassroots level to continue to develop that strength so that it
\nmay become a valuable asset in our joint effort to revitalize and
\nbuild up the nation.<\/p>\n
For the country's social and political elite, the grassroots
\npopulation of Indonesia can clearly set a good example of
\ncohesion. That should be inspiration enough for them to
\nstrengthen the spirit of solidarity within their own ranks.<\/p>\n
From the very beginning of our history as a nation, that
\nspirit of belonging has been the most important force that has
\nheld this nation together. It must not be disrupted by political
\nmaneuvers or political and religion-related differences.<\/p>\n
It is time for the elite to learn from the grassroots.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-lesson-for-the-elite-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }