'Heroes don't need recognition from other'

'Heroes don't need recognition from other'

Many Indonesians know only those national heroes who were
involved in the independence struggle and whose names have been
immortalized as street names. In commemoration of National Heroes
Day on Nov. 10, The Jakarta Post asked some residents who they
considered to be modern-day heroes.

Hanny Kusumawati, 22, is a PR consultant in South Jakarta. She
lives in Bogor:

Generally speaking, I believe a hero is simply someone who is
willing to help others without asking for recognition. I also
believe there are real-life heroes among us, but that we are
often too busy to recognize them.

I once saw a street musician help a middle-aged woman who fell
from a moving minivan. A vendor helped a friend of mine who
fainted inside a train, and even found a car to take her home.

And a friend told me of her cousin who wanted to commit
suicide, but changed her mind after hearing the song Heaven on
the radio.

These people offered help not because they wanted recognition
-- how could the DJ know the song would help my friend's cousin
-- but simply because they were at the right place at the right
time.

So I think a hero is someone who never considers himself a
hero, and perhaps does not even realize they have done a heroic
deed. Most of the time, a hero is simply a stranger who gives you
a genuine smile and brightens your day.

Suharyanto, 42, works at PT Publicis Metro in Slipi, West
Jakarta. He lives in Bekasi:

I think heroes are people who, without profit for themselves,
fight for a dignified society, education, welfare, justice and
humanity, even if it means sacrificing their own lives. Heroism
is wanting to help people and doing things not for your own
benefit, but for the greater good.

I do not think anybody from my neighborhood fits that
description, which I can understand since I am often stuck in the
routine and do things just for the sake of myself and my family.

Times are tough, so it is difficult to be responsible even for
your own family, let alone for the country.

-- The Jakarta Post