Her message aligns with this year's 78th National Heroes Day theme, titled "Heroic Spirit for the Nation's Future in Fighting Poverty and Ignorance."
"We must fight poverty and ignorance. Those two are our main enemies in the future. I hope this nation always has the spirit to fight them," Rismaharini emphasized on board the KRI Dr. Radjiman Wedyodiningrat warship.
She said that the government is striving to fight poverty with programs, such as Indonesian Economic Heroes (PENA), helping over 5,000 social assistance beneficiaries to successfully earn incomes above the city and district minimum wages, thus no longer requiring assistance.
Additionally, her ministry and the Indonesian Navy also visited some frontier and outermost areas, including the Mapia Islands in Papua, to support the education facility and deploy more teachers to the region.
During the ceremony, Rismaharini acted as the ceremonial inspector, accompanied by Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy Vice, Admiral Erwin S. Aldedharma, and Lieutenant Colonel Ahmad as the ceremonial commander.
The ceremony included paying tribute to the spirits of the heroes, observing a moment of silence, and laying of wreaths, and reciting prayers.
During the same occasion, Vice Admiral Aldedharma highlighted the importance of honoring the sacrifices of heroes.
"As a great nation that appreciates the services of our heroes, we also need to echo their names to be acknowledged," he stated.
The series of activities for the 2023 National Heroes Day include national ceremonies and pilgrimages at Jakarta's Kalibata Heroes' Cemetery; a flower-sprinkling ceremony at sea; awarding the title of national hero at the State Palace; and the "Reflecting on the November 10 Battle and Future Struggle" event at the Kalibata TMPNU Convention Hall.
Related news: Emulate heroes' fighting spirit to bolster national unity: official
Related news: President confers national heroes' status to five national figures
Translator: Devi Nindy Sari R, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2023
