By Rafiq Vayani
KARACHI: Flag-Hoisting Ceremony was held at the premises of the Indonesian Consulate General in Karachi, Saturday (17/8/2019) to mark the 74th Anniversary of the Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. Staff of the Consulate General along with their families and Karachi-based Indonesian community, including Indonesian students, as well as number of Pakistani guests attended the event.
The ceremony began with the flag-hoisting carried by the “Paskibra”, a special flag bearing and flag raising team accompanied by the national anthem of “Indonesia Raya”. The ceremony followed by observing moment of silence in honor of all who have sacrificed their lives for the independence of Indonesia, reading of the proclamation text of Indonesian independence, reading of text of “Pancasila” or Five Principles of Indonesian State Philosophy, reading of text of Preamble of the Indonesian Constitution 1945, and speech by Indonesian Consul General who leads the Flag-Hoisting Ceremony.
Indonesian Consul General, Totok Prianamto in his remarks among others said that celebration of Independence Day is of great significance to the people and history of Indonesia, marking the declaration of Indonesia as a free nation from the shackles of colonialism and reminder of the unmatched sacrifices and untiring efforts rendered by the forefathers in their struggle of independence. The Independence Day also gives message to every Indonesian national to play their due role and work wholeheartedly with full devotion and commitment to present Indonesia as a progressive and prosperous country among the comity of other developed nations.
Indonesian Consul General also highlighted Indonesian Government achievements in economic, trade and social among other things. The priority programs of Indonesian government also be mentioned, included continuation of the country’s infrastructure development, human capital development, creating more investment and employment opportunities.
Touching upon bilateral relations between Indonesia and Pakistan, Indonesian Consul General shortly highlighted activities of the Indonesian Consulate in promoting bilateral trade, economic, social and cultural cooperation, which include regular participation of Indonesia at My Karachi Exhibition, facilitating the visit of Pakistani businessmen to Indonesia’s biggest automotive exhibition, Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) and Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), blood donation campaign in collaboration with Afzaal Memorial Thalassemia Foundation (AMTF), educational cooperation with University of Sindh, Jamshoro, as well as Indonesia’s cultural performance in various occasions in Karachi. He also highlighted the growing bilateral Indonesia-Pakistan ties, where the bilateral trade volume has reached US$ 3.1 billion in 2018 against US$ 2.2 billion in 2016 which is a significant growth, while Indonesia has recently offered additional 20 tariff lines to Pakistan in a bid to further strengthen bilateral trade relations.
The ceremony was observed with great zeal and fervour and followed by “prosesi tumpengan” (cutting of well-decorated cone-shaped yellow rice, often prepared for special occasions like communal feast) by Consul General to mark the celebration of the 74th Anniversary of Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia. The entertaining dance performance of Bajidor Kahot and Gemu Famire by the Indonesian ladies enthralled the audience and made the atmosphere more lively. (Source: Indonesian Consulate General in Karachi)
