Celebrating independence day

Celebrating independence day

From Neraca

The month of August is just around the corner. Indonesians will celebrate this historic month in various ways. Sports, art festivals and other activities will climax on Independence Day, Aug. 17.

Every time we celebrate the national day, the festivities are colored by extravagant activities. The programs are filled with all kinds of races and contests, most of them childish such as shrimp chip eating contests etc. There is nothing wrong with such games really. But to cultivate patriotism and nationalism, more serious and beneficial programs could be introduced, a special program involving government institutions and large-scale companies.

For example, government institutions should be required to repaint their buildings white so as to alter their appearance. This sort of thing was done in the 1960s and could be revived for a change. Companies could do the same and advise their regional branches to follow suit.

On this important occasion, religious leaders could also be involved in uplifting patriotism and love of the country.

MUHAMMAD LIEM

Bogor, West Java