ISLAMABAD, Sunday, August 10, 2025 (WNP): The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Islamabad turned into a hub of joy and festivity on Sunday as Indonesian nationals and their families gathered to launch the celebrations marking the 80th Independence Day of Indonesia, which will be observed on August 17.
The event was attended by Ambassador-designate Chandra Warsenanto Sukotjo and Mme. Tamara Y. Sukotjo, along with the embassy staff, Indonesian students, professionals, UN and international organization officials, pilots, and families of Indonesian nationals married to Pakistanis and other foreigners.
The day began with a spirited morning exercise followed by a lively Zumba session, with participants donning red and white T-shirts that reflected the colors of the Indonesian flag.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Sukotjo said, “We must be proud to be Indonesians. Today is a day of joy, unity, and pride, a time to cherish our traditions and celebrate together as one family.” He invited community members to join the upcoming flag-hoisting ceremony on August 17 to honor the milestone with dignity and national spirit.
The celebrations featured a wide range of sports and traditional Indonesian games, including badminton, table tennis, volleyball, futsal, tug of war (tarik tambang), sack race (balap karung), and the tomato dance (joget tomat), creating an atmosphere of laughter and camaraderie.
Food stalls set up by Indonesian students served popular dishes such as nasi ayam bakar (steamed rice with BBQ chicken), nasi pecel (rice with mixed vegetables), bila ayam, risol mayonnaise, bakwan (Indonesian fritters), along with desserts like pisang hijau and es cincau, offering participants a nostalgic taste of home.
Community members expressed their delight at the celebrations. Mrs. Leni Rina, an Indonesian married to a Pakistani, said, “We came to experience Indonesian culture and food—it feels wonderful to celebrate together as one family.” UN staffer Nurul added, “This is more than just an event; it’s a way to stay connected to our roots.” Kholifah Azizah, a student at the International Islamic University Islamabad, said, “This celebration makes us feel at home. We are proud to mark our Independence Day with passion and joy.”
During the event, Ambassador Sukotjo also welcomed Asrobudi, Advisor of IBEX Indonesia, who introduced his team of six Indonesian climbers embarking on an expedition to Trango Towers in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, to mark the 75th anniversary of Indonesia-Pakistan diplomatic relations.
The day-long celebration concluded with the distribution of door prizes, leaving participants with cherished memories of unity, cultural pride, and community spirit.
