Exhibition showcases history of RI-India relations
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.