Awakening Day

Awakening Day

The observance of this year's Awakening Day (May 20) will have a deeper meaning because it coincides with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Indonesia's independence. It is highly appropriate to use May 20 as an opportunity to enhance a nationalistic outlook, as explained by Information Minister Harmoko, the chairman of the National Committee for the Observance of Awakening Day. It is also a chance to strengthen the unity and integrity of the nation.

1995's Awakening Day celebration is even more significant because the nation is entering the second stage of its long-term development plan, which will be remembered as the country's second national awakening day. The first national awakening day was marked by the Boedi Oetomo movement, which led to the Youth Pledge on May 20, 1908. The pledge had three major objectives: the existence of one nation, one national language and one national flag. It was the sense of one nation that produced a national force to remove the chains of colonialism.

Fifty years of independence have brought about much progress, but the challenges facing the nation are by no means less in terms of quality or quantity.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta