YOGYAKARTA- As many as 34 photo collections depicting the relations between Indonesia and India in some decades canbe seen at the Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri Cultural Centre (PKKH) UGM, 27 November-2 December. Some illustrate the close relation since the era of President Soekarno to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY). These are exhibited in the Photo Exhibition entitled Six Decades of India-Indonesia relationship-a pictorial journey.
Opening the event was Indian Ambassador to Indonesia, ASEAN and Timor Leste, Gurjit Singh, accompanied by Vice Rector for Cooperation and Alumni, Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D., and Dean of Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Dr. Pujo Semedi Hargo Yuwono, M.A, Tuesday (27/11).
Gurjit Singh welcomed the exhibition. The relations between Indonesia and India has long been established since President Soekarno and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Cooperation of both countries continues to develop in various sector such as government, economy, business, culture and education.
“Indonesia continues to progress along with the close ties with India,” said Gurjit.
Indonesia and India also have a role in the global level such as in the G-20 and world peace movement. Gurjit Singh also touched on the relations in education sector.
‘We invite Indonesian students to study in India,” he said.
Prof. Ir. Dwikorita Karnawati, M.Sc., Ph.D. assessed that UGM has many relations with India in education. A number of visits of Indian ambassadors to UGM has proved the close ties.
“Formerly, we saw visits by former ambassadors, namely Navrekha Sharma and Biren Nanda to UGM,” said Dwikorita.
The photo displayed include those of Prime Minister Nehru to UGM, 12 June 1950, and Nehru’s visit with President Soekarno at the Gunung Papandayan, Garut, in 1950.