Exhibition showcases history of RI-India relations
Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
A historical exhibition and short documentary film of how two nations -- Indonesia and India -- supported each other during their respective fights for independence will open to the public at the National Archives Building on Oct. 19.
The exhibition features more than 60 photographs depicting Indonesia's founding father Sukarno and Indian nationalist leader and statesman Jawaharlal Nehru, and their shared vision of Asian unity and solidarity.
Personal correspondence between the two leaders and newspaper articles will also be exhibited, recording Sukarno's visit to India as that country gained its independence, and Nehru's visit to Indonesia.
The collections have been made available courtesy of the Indian Embassy, the National Archives, the National Library and culinary expert William Wongso.
The close ties between the two countries are exhibited through a concerned telegram from Sukarno about the fast of India's Mahatma Gandhi, and later a telegram of condolence on his death.
"Your country and your people are linked to us by ties of blood and culture which date back to the very beginning of history. The word 'India' must necessarily always be part of our life for it forms the first two syllables of the name we have chosen for our land and race -- it is the 'Indo' in Indonesia.
"This Yogyakarta from which I write is -- like Java, Sumatra and most other place names -- is an Indian word; my very name itself is eloquent testimony to the great extent to which we have fallen heir to the rich culture of your ancient land," Sukarno wrote to Nehru in a correspondence dated Aug. 19, 1946.
Sukarno and first lady Fatmawati attended the ceremony declaring India a Republic on Jan. 26, 1950. This visit was returned in June of the same year by Nehru and his daughter Indira Gandhi.
The two leaders' efforts to establish the Non-Aligned Movement at the Asia-Africa Conference in Bandung in 1955 is also recorded.
The exhibition, titled Nehru and Sukarno: Prophets of Asian Resurgence, also offers a glimpse at the close ties between some of Asia's most important historical figures, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Mohammad Hatta and Indira Gandhi.
A short documentary film will also be screened several times a day during the three-day exhibition.
The exhibition is organized in conjunction with the Festival of India, Friendship Through Culture, which runs from Oct. 14 to Nov. 4.
Nehru and Sukarno: Prophets of Asian Resurgence will be open to the public from Oct. 19 to Oct. 21 at Gedung Arsip Nasional RI, Jl. Gajah Mada No. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information please call 021-6347744 or 021-63855364/345.