The nation commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Youth Pledge on Sunday. We wish to keep the spirit aflame so it can guide us towards future glory. We are moved by, grateful and respectful of our national youth figures, both of the past and of the 21st century.
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ANTARA FOTO/INDRIANTO EKO SUWARSO
Visitors on Sunday (28/10/2018) view a display at the Youth Pledge Museum on Jl. Kramat Raya No. 106, Central Jakarta. In conjunction with the 90th anniversary of Youth Pledge Day on Oct. 28, visitors flocked to the museum, which exhibits historical photographs and objects from the national youth movement – a historical milestone in the struggle to establish an independent Republic of Indonesia.
The nation commemorated the 90th anniversary of the Youth Pledge on Sunday. We wish to keep the spirit aflame so it can guide us towards future glory.
Through his opinion piece in this daily on Saturday (27/10/2018), National Alliance executive Yudi Latif eloquently retold the narrative of the Youth Pledge. On Sunday (28/10), this daily published articles on those who made large and heroic contributions to the nation in their youth – including founding the nation, guiding its journey and, in the case of contemporary figures, leading it towards future glory.
We are moved by, grateful and respectful of our national youth figures, both of the past and of the 21st century. We are indebted to them for their inspiration, visions, energy and contributions to the nation-state. One thing that we must keep alive in our souls is the principles of civic nationalism, as well as connectivity and inclusivity, just as Yudi Latif wrote.
Yudi said that the Youth Pledge generation successfully in reaching a juncture of six collective mores and values: care, fairness, liberty, loyalty, authority and sanctity. What is the condition of our nation today, especially in terms of connectivity and inclusivity? It needs to be acknowledged that physical connectivity, whether in the form of transportation infrastructure development or social media use, has advanced significantly. However, the mental-spiritual connectivity is declining; loyalty to national institutions and traditions are waning.
In this situation, it is clear that we need to strengthen our sense of nationhood today. We emphasize this, as many incidents ahead of next year’s presidential election seem to have undermined national unity.
We are terribly saddened that many of us seem unconcerned about the first component of the moral matrix, specifically care – including the dangers, in all its forms, that threaten the nation. Through observation and contemplation, we can see how the threat of information and trade wars require us to foster our national cohesiveness, especially amid the fragile state of the national foundation. We urgently need the cohesiveness that our founding fathers showed, including those of the Youth Pledge generation.
The Youth Pledge’s 90th anniversary should guide our youths today to look 90 years into the future. Through their energy and enlightenment, hopefully our youths can continue the national struggle towards achievements no less phenomenal than our youths of the last 90 years.
Today’s youths are helped by the openness of information and knowledge as well as technological advancements. They must survive the hardheadedness, irrationality and exclusivity that reject diversity. In the hands of enlightened youths that love the motherland, we hope that Indonesia will remain always tranquil and free of backwardness.
