Unity is strength

Unity is strength

Democracy has now found its place in Indonesia. Democracy
offers a favorable atmosphere for the development of human
personality. While referring to democracy, a humane incident
which I read about a long time ago comes to mind.

An American soldier was riding on a bus to Sweden. He told the
man sitting next to him that America was the most democratic
country in the world and that ordinary citizens could go to the
White House to discuss things with the president.

The man who sat next to him said "That's nothing". In Sweden,
the king and people travel together on the same bus. When the man
got off the bus, the soldier was told by the other passengers
that he had been sitting next to King Gustaf VI Adolf.

This kind of a situation could not be compared with to
anything here in Indonesia. Democracy is just a newborn baby. But
at this juncture, unity is more important. If a quarrel occurs
among the members of the House of Representatives then one will
overpower the other. One should take the guidance of the other
and see to it that the country progresses.

The greatest thing you can give to somebody is your full
attention. Similarly, the government should concentrate its
attention on people's problems. It should be conscious of
personal limitations, deficiencies and shortcomings.

No country can progress unless its citizens are well-educated.
Only then will people know the distinction between what is right
and what is wrong. So the government should provide free
education so that all children can go to school. The lamp of
knowledge should reach even the most remote and dark homes.

Internal strength is needed for the economic development of
the country. But for achieving all these goals, unity among the
members of the government is much needed. United we stand,
divided we fall.

UMA RAMAKRISHNA

Jakarta