Archipelago-subcontinent ties ancient<\/p>\n
Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar<\/p>\n
A global trade system involving Southeast Asia, the Indian
\nsubcontinent and the Mediterranean basin might have existed since
\npre-historic times based on various archaeological findings on
\nthe island of Bali and several archaeological sites across
\nIndonesia, a noted archaeologist says.<\/p>\n
I Wayan Ardhika, professor of archaeology at the University of
\nUdayana in Denpasar, theorized that the findings in northeastern
\ncoast of Bali, especially at the pre-historic sites of Sembiran
\nand Pacung revealed innumerable Indian ceramics, believed to be
\nthe largest collection of ancient Indian-made roulette ware
\n(between 150 BC and AD 200) in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Further evidence includes glass beads, carnelian beads
\n(believed to be brought from India) and gold foil eye covers
\nfound in Gilimanuk, West Bali, and in sarcophagus burial sites in
\nPangkungliplip, the professor said.<\/p>\n
"Archaeological finds suggest that there were strong
\nindications of contacts between India and Indonesia, particularly
\nBali. These contacts might have been stimulated by the emergence
\nof an ancient trade system in the region," he told a seminar here
\non Saturday.<\/p>\n
Jointly organized by the Indian Embassy, the Indian Cultural
\nCenter in Bali and the University of Udayana, the seminar titled
\nIndia-Indonesia Cultural Relations, was part of the state
\nuniversity's anniversary.<\/p>\n
"The seminar is another milestone in efforts to strengthen
\nrelations between the two countries," Indian Ambassador to
\nIndonesia H.K. Singh said while opening the one-day seminar
\nattended by scholars from India and Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"Friendly relations between India and Indonesia have been
\nstrong since ancient times and have continued to be so in modern
\ntimes," the ambassador told The Jakarta Post after the seminar.<\/p>\n
While in the past, Indian influences were obvious in many
\nfields including religion, culture, arts and architecture, the
\npresent relations between the two nations are marked by various
\njoint projects in several sectors including science and
\ntechnology, education, human resource development, information
\ntechnology, trade and investment and many other fields of
\ncooperation.<\/p>\n
"We are happy to be able to take part in human resource
\ndevelopment cooperation by providing training and education for
\nIndonesian government officials in diverse kinds of courses and
\nworkshops in areas of governance such as mass communications,
\nauditing, accounting, etc.," the envoy explained.<\/p>\n
In the field of education, the Indian government has doubled
\nits scholarship programs from 75 in the last two years to 150
\nscholarships a year for under-graduate, graduate and post
\ngraduate programs in universities across India and specialized
\ntraining programs.<\/p>\n
"Indonesia is among the largest recipients of India's
\nscholarship programs. We are eager to increase the quota in the
\ncoming years," he said.<\/p>\n
Three books were launched on the occasion. They were published
\nby an industrialist from Mumbai and chairman of the Somaiya
\ntrust, Dr. S.K. Somaiya, who came from India for the occasion.
\nThe first was Dictionary of Sanskrit words in Southeast Asia, of
\nwhich the Indonesian section was jointly compiled by Prof. Edi
\nSedyawati and Dr. Somvir. The other two books written by Dr.
\nSomvir are Niti Sataka and 108 Vedic hymns.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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