'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