Ahead of the anniversary of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) on 19 December, UGM women’s association made a visit to the national heroes cemetery in Yogyakarta as well as the cemetery of UGM founding fathers.
“We all realise that we can now enjoy the independence thanks to the services of the heroes, and we have UGM as it is now due to the services of the founding fathers and seniors,” said chairperson of the women’s association,” Nur Indrianti Panut Mulyono in the preparation for the visit at Balairung UGM on Friday (8/12).
The annual tradition was done at UGM Sawitsari cemetery compound and Kusumanegara National Heroes and was followed by over 100 members of the association as well students that joined student regiment unit and scouts.
According to Nur, the participation of the students in the event became an important opportunity for them to know the national heroes and UGM founding fathers and to follow their lead.
“The students are the ones that will sustain the country, so we need to get them familiar with the heroes so that they can follow their patriotism and nationalism and make UGM more acknowledged in the world,” she added.
Among the hundreds of graves at Kusumanegara Yogyakarta, one belongs to an important figure for UGM, that is Prof. Dr. Sardjito, UGM first rector who was also one of the country’s heroes. Apart from his services in education and health areas, Prof. Sardjito played a big role during Indonesia’s struggle for independence. Prof. Sardjito helped fight for the country by the effort to provide medication for the troops and build health posts for them. This made Prof. Sardjito as someone worthy of remembrance and be looked up to.
“That was a very different period indeed. I believe his struggle was very hard and this is something that we need to follow suit,” Nur said.