What Happened During the Inauguration of 'Biju Hall' in Jakarta?

BJP MP Inaugurates 'Biju Hall' in Jakarta

Jakarta: On Saturday, BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi, part of the All-Party Parliamentary delegation involved in Operation Sindoor, officially opened the 'Biju Hall' at the Indian Embassy in Jakarta. During the ceremony, she also unveiled a plaque honoring the late Odia 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.

During her visit, Sarangi, who represents Bhubaneswar, engaged with members of the Odiya community.

The BJP MP is part of a delegation led by JD(U) MP Sanjay Kumar Jha, which is in Indonesia to discuss India's stance against terrorism.

On the previous day, the Indian parliamentarians met with representatives from Indonesia's Golkar and Nasdem parties, discussing the aftermath of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

These parties expressed their strong condemnation of the attack, sharing the sorrow it caused.

The delegation also held dynamic discussions with the media at the Indian Embassy, where they outlined India's 'new normal' approach to countering cross-border terrorism and emphasized a united front on national issues.

Numerous journalists from various global media outlets participated in this interactive session.

Following this, the delegation engaged with influential 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, the delegation leader, spoke about India's ongoing commitment to fighting terrorism and fostering peace and development. He praised the Indian diaspora for their commitment to values of tolerance and unity, urging them to remain steadfast against terrorism.

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, promoting the principles of truth, justice, and collective action in the face of national challenges.

Additionally, they met with KH Ulil Abshar Abdalla, the Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board, and Kholili Kholil, a committee member, seeking their 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 values of unity and diversity, and the delegation urged NU leaders to support India in condemning cross-border terrorism, sending a powerful message globally.

After successful engagements in Singapore, South Korea, and Japan, the delegation is now in Indonesia to emphasize the importance of Operation Sindoor and India's ongoing battle against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.