Namesake award, choir marks Miriam's 80th bash

There was no birthday cake for senior scholar Miriam Budiardjo prepared by her colleagues when she celebrated her anniversary on Thursday.

They decided to present her with a more 'insightful gift'.

What she got represented her love of science and the arts.

Miriam, affectionately called ibu Mir, a senior lecturer at the University of Indonesia's school of social and political sciences, was honored with speeches and choral singing to mark her 80th birthday.

The celebrations, organized by the university, also marked the announcement of a new research competition, named after Miriam.

The Miriam Budiardjo Awards are intended to encourage scientific research and studies.

This year's theme for the competition is the upcoming general election.

Miriam said she was honored by the celebrations and the competition.

Besides being active on the general election watchdog, Miriam who was born in Kediri, East Java, is renowned as a bold human rights activist.

She said people her age should focus on happiness.

She recalled her favorite Greek myth about a wealthy king who realized he was not happy with his life after losing his wealth.

"Happiness is not a matter of wealth or popularity. For Javanese like me probably, being born on a certain day is already a blessing," she said.

"I get so many blessings, probably because I was born on Selasa Kliwon (Sacred Tuesday under the Javanese calendar)," she quickly added. In the Javanese calendar, those born Selasa Kliwon are believed to be gifted and well loved.

"My blessings are children, grandchildren and friends and the knowledge that we are loved."

Miriam, who admires former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, has been interested in politics since she was young. She was posted to India and the U.S. as a diplomat not long after Indonesia's Independence.

When she was 30, she decided to end her promising career and married Ali Budiardjo, her former lecturer. She then taught at the University of Indonesia and pioneered the establishment of the social and political sciences school. -- JP