Pandit Nehru gets RI's award

Pandit Nehru gets RI's award

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia has conferred the Bintang Republik Adipurna award for meritorious services on the late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister, for his strong support during Indonesia's independence struggle 50 years ago.

The Indonesian Embassy in New Delhi said in a statement that the award was presented by Ambassador Adolf Sahala Rajagukguk during a ceremony at the Wisma Duta on Dec. 12.

Accepting the award was Sonia Gandhi, the wife of the late Rajiv Gandhi, who was Nehru's grandson and who also served as prime minister of India.

Ambassador Rajagukguk also presented Bintang Jasa Utama awards to Biju Patnaik, a former chief minister of Orissa, and Mohammad Yunus and P.R.S. Mani, both former consuls of India in Indonesia.

The awards were given to Indian leaders who provided moral and diplomatic supports during the critical period of Indonesia's struggle after the country proclaimed its independence on Aug. 17, 1945, according to the embassy statement.

The decision to confer the award was signed by President Soeharto in a decree dated Aug. 7, which apart from recognizing their "extraordinary services" to Indonesia's independence struggle also underlined the contribution the recipients made towards enhancing cooperation between Indonesia and India.

Ambassador Rajagukguk in his speech also underlined the contribution India gave to help Indonesia consolidate the independence it just proclaimed and expressed his hope that the two countries could continue to forge and strengthen the existing close ties.

The award giving ceremony was also attended by India's State Minister of Foreign Affairs R.L. Bhatia and a number of member of parliaments and senior India government officials, the embassy said. (emb)