Echoes of National Family Day in East Kalimantan: The Presence of Fathers Builds a Brilliant Future
Fathers must be truly present in their children’s lives, not merely present in body while their minds drift elsewhere. It is not only mobile phones that need regular recharging; family harmony, closeness and warmth must also be recharged.
Samarinda (ANTARA) - The breeze of Tanjung Redeb blew gently, caressing the foliage whispering cheerfully on the banks of the Berau River. Beneath that blue morning sky, thousands of people gathered with prayers and sincere intentions to nurture an intelligent generation and build brilliant families for the future.
This hopeful crowd was not merely present in body, but responded to the spirit of the 33rd National Family Day (Harganas). This year’s celebration is not just a ceremony passing by, but a call resounding in every heart that the family is the first place where the shoots of the future grow. In this context, the father’s presence is like water that gives life, allowing young shoots to grow upright, lush and beneficial.
The grand theme ‘Fathers Must Be Present’, raised in Bumi Etam, East Kalimantan, was not chosen without reason. Amid the bustle of an era that often separates people physically even under one roof, this theme serves as a reminder that a father’s role is not merely to earn a living. More than that, a father is a heart that always accompanies, an ear willing to listen, and a real example for his children.
The peak event, held in Tanjung Redeb, Berau Regency, on Thursday (23/7), stood as true testimony of togetherness across generations, positions and stakeholders.
Governor of East Kalimantan, Rudy Mas’ud, led the event firmly. He emphasised that the theme ‘Fathers Must Be Present’ carries a very profound meaning.
For Rudy, family harmony and integrity are an absolute foundation for producing a quality generation that will one day carry the baton of development.
According to him, without a strong family foundation, no matter how impressive the infrastructure — skyscrapers, highways or other facilities — it will remain fragile in the face of the era’s challenges.
Therefore, all families are called to change their mindset and way of acting. Support for children must be given in a pleasant atmosphere, full of affection and openness, not through rigid commands or burdensome demands.
Rudy also reminded that family development cannot be carried out by one party alone. Solid synergy is needed between central and regional governments, the business world, educational institutions, religious leaders, community figures and all other elements of society.
All parties must move in harmony, from accelerating the reduction of stunting rates, which remains a shared challenge, to improving parenting patterns that truly understand children’s emotional and spiritual needs.
Father and Mother Genre
A historic moment was beautifully inscribed when the inauguration procession was carried out by the Head of the BKKBN Representative for East Kalimantan, Sunarto, acting on behalf of the Minister of Population and Family Development/Head of BKKBN, Wihaji.
At the event, East Kalimantan Governor Rudy Mas’ud and his wife, Sarifah Suraidah, were officially inaugurated as the provincial-level Father and Mother of the Planned Generation (Genre). The bestowal of the honorary sash and the handing over of the certificate became a tangible symbol that regional leaders are the first example for the people in safeguarding family integrity and harmony.