Sat, 16 Aug 2003

A lesson for the elite

For the grassroots population in Indonesia, National Independence Day, which falls on Aug. 17, is a time for public festivities. In neighborhoods throughout the country, people collect funds door to door to finance the various events they organize to celebrate the big day.

Every year on the eve of Aug. 17 we see people gathering around their neighborhood community meeting places, cooking, grilling chicken and eating together. National Day, for the common Indonesian man and woman, is truly a people's feast and party, and to celebrate it families are willing to spend more money than they normally do in their daily lives.

Nevertheless, one question is worth asking: What does all this festivity really mean for the common Indonesian?

To some extent, it might be the historical awareness that Aug. 17 is a sacred moment in the nation's history that deserves to be remembered. Some may believe that this is truly a manifestation of the people's nationalist spirit.

Whatever the case, the Independence Day festivities are an eagerly awaited event. From the recreational point of view it is apparent that families at the grassroots level lack daily opportunities for entertainment, and so, games and performances that are held in their residential areas become diversions that are worth attending.

The annual festivities also become a time for social mingling among residents, given the fact there is little space or time for them to meet each other in such a friendly and merry atmosphere.

By joining hands in financing the festivities and organizing the events together, the common Indonesian individual gives evidence that the spirit of togetherness and tolerance is still alive among them. And in their own personal perspectives, the celebrations could give them back their feeling of pride in being an Indonesian.

Independence Day, therefore, is a clear social adhesive for people in the lowest strata of our society. On that day, at least, people don't care about differences in ethnicity, religion or political beliefs and groupings. All are members of one community imbued by a spirit of togetherness -- not just a group of people subscribing to differing, and often conflicting, political or business interests.

There is an important lesson to be learned in all this for the political elite: they too should try to maintain that spirit of togetherness in the community as being one of the nation's most important assets. They should also encourage people at the grassroots level to continue to develop that strength so that it may become a valuable asset in our joint effort to revitalize and build up the nation.

For the country's social and political elite, the grassroots population of Indonesia can clearly set a good example of cohesion. That should be inspiration enough for them to strengthen the spirit of solidarity within their own ranks.

From the very beginning of our history as a nation, that spirit of belonging has been the most important force that has held this nation together. It must not be disrupted by political maneuvers or political and religion-related differences.

It is time for the elite to learn from the grassroots.