National Safari in Bandung: Chinese Indonesians and Veterans Instill Nationalism Values

In Bandung, West Java, hundreds of ethnic Chinese Indonesians participated in a ceremony commemorating Indonesia's 81st Independence Day. The event, organized by the Chinese Community Caring Society (MTP) and the West Java Veterans Legion of the Republic of Indonesia (LVRI), is part of a five-year "national safari" initiative.

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We carry this out from school to school with the aim of awakening the nationalism of schoolchildren, fostering discipline, and remembering the services of our predecessors who sacrificed for the independence of this country.

The safari's primary goal is to introduce the values of struggle and nationalism to younger generations. By holding events at schools, from elementary to university levels, organizers aim to cultivate patriotism and discipline among students. Herman Widjadja, the coordinator for MTP, stated that the recurring school visits are intended to awaken nationalistic feelings and remind students of the sacrifices made by predecessors for the nation's independence.

Major General (Ret.) TNI Nandang Herawan, Chairman of the West Java DPD LVRI, highlighted the veterans' role in sharing their experiences. He stressed that independence was not freely given but hard-won through struggle. Veterans, he explained, continue to defend and enrich the nation's independence, transitioning their fight from physical conflict to imparting values and knowledge to the youth.

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Independence was not obtained for free or given, but was seized through struggle. We veterans fought from the physical revolution era until today to continue to guard, defend, and fill independence.

This collaboration between educational foundations and veterans aims to build resilient young individuals with strong nationalistic character and a deep sense of belonging to Indonesia. The initiative focuses on instilling the spirit, values, and ideals of 1945, fostering a profound love for the country among students.

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Our cooperation with educational foundations at the junior high school, high school, and university levels aims to shape the spirit of the younger generation to be strong, have high nationalistic character, love the homeland, and have a deep sense of ownership of this nation.