Selvi Gibran Nostalgic for Traditional Games at National Children's Day Summit

Selvi Gibran Rakabuming, Chairwoman of the Seruni organisation and wife of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, expressed her delight at seeing children enjoy traditional games during the peak celebration of the 42nd National Children’s Day (HAN) in Tanjungpinang. “I am very happy to be able to reminisce about childhood games, which are still being preserved by our children today,” she said at the event held at the Tugu Sirih grounds. Her arrival, along with the central board of Seruni, was enthusiastically welcomed by hundreds of students from early childhood education to senior high school levels who had been waiting since morning. At the venue, Selvi interacted directly with the students and tried various traditional games, including spinning tops, hopscotch, and marbles. She stressed the importance of ensuring that traditional games are not eroded by the rapid advancement of the digital era, particularly regarding gadget use among children. While acknowledging that digital technology is an unavoidable necessity, she highlighted the need for parents and teachers to balance screen time with traditional play. Selvi also used the occasion to call on all elements of society to make the 2026 National Children’s Day a momentum to strengthen child protection against violence, exploitation, and bullying, both in the real world and online.