BJP MP Inaugurates Biju Hall at Indian Embassy in Jakarta
Inauguration of Biju Hall
Jakarta, May 31: Aparajita Sarangi, a Member of Parliament from the BJP, inaugurated the 'Biju Hall' at the Indian Embassy in Jakarta on Saturday. During the event, she unveiled a plaque honoring the late Odiya leader Biju Patnaik, who significantly contributed to Indonesia's fight for independence.
Biju Patnaik was awarded Indonesia's highest civilian honor, 'Bintang Jasa Utama', and granted honorary citizenship, 'Bumi Putra', for his pivotal role in the nation's independence.
Sarangi, who represents Bhubaneswar, also engaged with members of the Odiya community during her visit.
She is part of a delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, which is in Indonesia to discuss India's stance on terrorism.
On Friday, the Indian parliamentarians met with representatives from Indonesia's Golkar and Nasdem parties, discussing the aftermath of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The Indonesian parties expressed their strong condemnation of the attack, sharing their sorrow over the tragic events.
The delegation held dynamic discussions with the media at the Indian Embassy, where they informed Indonesian journalists about India's 'new normal' approach to countering cross-border terrorism and emphasized a united front against such threats.
Numerous journalists from international media outlets participated in the session.
Following this, the delegation interacted with key business and community leaders from the Indian diaspora at the embassy.
A moment of silence was observed to honor the victims of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Sanjay Kumar Jha, leading the parliamentary delegation, spoke about India's ongoing commitment to fighting terrorism and fostering peace and development. He praised the Indian diaspora for their dedication to principles of tolerance and unity, urging them to remain steadfast against terrorism and support national efforts to combat it.
Earlier, the delegation visited the Gandhi Memorial Intercontinental School in Jakarta, where they paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi's statue and planted tree saplings as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa ke Naam' initiative.
They also met with members of the Gandhi Seva Loka Association, emphasizing the values of truth, justice, and collective action in addressing national challenges.
Additionally, they met with KH Ulil Abshar Abdalla, Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board, and Kholili Kholil, a committee member of Nahdlatul Ulama, to seek support against violence and religious extremism.
Condemning the Pahalgam attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, KH Ulil expressed solidarity with India and called for collaboration between India and Indonesia to foster peace and economic growth.
As nations with significant Muslim populations, both countries share the principle of 'Unity in Diversity' or 'Binneka Tunggal Ika', which is integral to their state policies and daily lives. The delegation leader urged NU leaders to support India and denounce cross-border terrorism, sending a strong message globally.
After successful engagements in Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, the delegation is now in Indonesia to underscore the importance of Operation Sindoor and India's ongoing battle against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.