'Anyone who does good for others is a hero'

'Anyone who does good for others is a hero'

National Heroes Day has always been commemorated on Nov. 10 every
year and on that particular day the President usually awards
citizens who are considered heroes. In commemoration of National
Heroes Day on Nov. 10, The Jakarta Post talked to some young
residents about what they think of modern-day heroes.

Merry Magdalena, 31, is a journalist at Sinar Harapan evening daily
newspaper in Central Jakarta. She lives in Depok.

I guess a hero is someone who does good deeds, not necessarily
for the country, but more for those in need. And heroes don't
have to sacrifice their lives for anything.

Helping street children earn a fixed income without
sacrificing their childhood is one example of a heroic deed, I
think. Simple things like that really.

I don't know whether there are any heroes like that in my
community, but I think the men and women who sweep the streets
around my neighborhood and those who collect the rubbish are sort
of heroic too.

They don't get paid much for the sort of work they do, but
they do it anyway. I can't imagine having do without them.

Sugih Nugroho, 30, works as head of the information system at
the University of Indonesia's School of Humanities. He lives in
Kelapa Dua, Depok.

When the country is faced with least 38 million unemployed and
terrorism issues are filling our everyday lives, I wonder if
celebrating Heroes Day on Nov. 10 is still relevant.

Should we not use our energy on more useful things like
eradicating corruption, the disease that is eating away the very
soul of this country and causing so many losses?

And yet, I still believe that Heroes Day should be
commemorated to remember those who have given their lives for the
freedom of this country.

In appreciation of their sacrifice, we must also give the very
best for this country. While they were revolutionary and highly
patriotic, in turn we must also be aware of what the country
needs, and to give it as best we can.

--The Jakarta Post