Delivering the Keynote Address on Education and Health, eminent global public health expert Prof. Dr Prahlad R Sodani, President, IIHMR University, Jaipur said, “India and Indonesia have close cultural and commercial contacts for over two millennia. India must closely collaborate with Indonesia on skill development and Education, as this will help in exploring the complementary potential of both countries through knowledge sharing co-operation. Both these countries have areas of common interest in health as well as the education sector. Both the countries may focus on research and development in areas including active pharmaceutical ingredients, IT-based medical health and wellness solutions and also human resource development for the health sector.”
As key focus of the discussion was on the Health and the Education sector, the speakers highlighted great possibilities of collaboration and co-operation among India and Indonesia. Stressing the need for collaborative initiatives, Dr Sodani pointed out that both the countries- India and Indonesia, have great strengths which can be leveraged to work for the society at a better level. Education and Research would help academic communities in both the countries including students, faculty members and health scientists who can work together with aim of contributing at a larger level in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. He stressed that India, as a country, has tremendous potential in the technology and digital space which can be of great value to strengthen Indonesian economy. He further elaborated by saying that, the alignment is required amongst the healthcare workers and the community for which these healthcare workers are working. This alignment is also required amongst the technical persons who have great expertise in digital technology, as they have to understand the community requirements, particularly the healthcare service environment. There are a lot of opportunities between India and Indonesia and this pandemic has brought us together to work and live together.
Mr. NIRMAL KUMAR JAIN SETHI, President All India Jain Mahasabha spoke about the importance of Jain heritage and how he tried to build India Indonesia culture through Jain sculptures. He said Lord Mahavir and Lord Parshanath are popular in Indonesia. He said I have been to Indonesia three times in the last 10 years and there are many things that the historians and archeologists should explore .There are thousands of images of tirthankaras lined up inside the temples. It shows connection with Jain culture and heritage.
Mr Adhi Lukamn, Chairman, Indonesian Food and Beverages Industry Association, opened his presentation with the optimistic statement that Indian and Indonesian companies need to build the partnership, especially in sectors like food and beverages, crude oil, etc. He elaborated, “Such a partnership can be in the form of joint partnership in each other’s countries.” He added that India is Indonesia’s largest buyer of Crude Palm Oil (CPO) and importer of its mining, petroleum and paper products. Although the trade basket is complementary. India exports refined petroleum products, wheat, rice, sugar, iron and steel products to Indonesia.
Noticeably bilateral trade has surged in the past few years. However, there remains a vast untapped potential for further growth. Mr Lukman highlighted some achievements of his country that among ASEA countries our GDP is more than $1 trillion with a population of 260 million “Consuming class’ twice the size of the population of Australia. Young and dynamic people 44% of Indonesians are aged under 25. Indonesia is a global leader in social media also. It has More Facebook and Twitter users than the population of Australia. The world’s third-largest market for Facebook. The most active city for Twitter in the world: Jakarta. Indonesia's per capita income is 4200$. Citing McKinsey & Company report, he mentioned that Indonesia in 2030 will be the7th-largest economy in the world with 135 million members of the consuming class, 71%of the population in cities producing 86%of GDP, 113 million Skilled workers needed $1.8 trillion market opportunity in consumer services, agriculture and fisheries, resource, and education. Emerging markets will dominate the world’s top ten economies in 2050 (GDP at PPPs) Indonesia is the 4th Most Prospective Investment Destination and its sovereign credit rating continues trending higher. Investment Realization in Indonesia Reaches 721.3 Trillion in 2018 and rises by 4.1% from 2013-2018.
INDIA stands on 23rd position in FDI realization in Indonesia in Oil, gas and financial sector as per this report. He pointed out that in Indonesia, India’s FDI in the only food industry is approximately 42 million $. He concluded the talk by citing Indonesia’s abundant natural resources and burgeoning domestic market as an attractive destination for foreign investment, which India should not overlook. MrLookman also urged to eliminate all the barriers of the supply chain from both sides of government to harness the actual benefits of the bilateral relationship between both countries.
Dr. ANEEL KASHI MURARKA – MD, Mirachem Industries, Pune emphasised on cultural connections between these two countries since ancient times. He also talked about the tradition of Ram-Leela performance in Indonesia, which entails the other facets of Indonesia culture and respect for the Hindu religion and its God. He also called for more philanthropy andCSR activities to the corporate world to help mankind in such a global tragedy time of COVID-19. Dr Morarka expressed his concern for the marginal community and acid-survivor, they need more attention to be in the mainstream of our society. He brought the humanitarian angle during the dialogue and adhered to the need for intensive debate, no matter if the context varies from place to place. The ultimate goal of development should be human-welfare.
Dr Murarka, who is also a noted philanthropist said India has the resources to eradicate poverty and regain its lost glory when it was having the sobriquet of “Sone Ki Chidiya” (golden bird). “What is needed is prioritization of the needs so that we can take care of the people who cannot manage to get two square meals a day”, he said adding that if each and every person does his bit to lend a helping hand to the needy, then this country will be a fantastic place to live in.
Dr Murarka narrated how his organization Ample Mission has been working for the inclusivity of the marginalised people like the transgenders and also the acid attack victims. Ample Mission is a social awareness organization founded by Dr AneelMurarka with the objective of creating a change in the society through direct action and awareness campaigns.
Dr Murarka said he had the privilege of being to Indonesia at Bali and he was impressed by the cultural bond that existed between the two countries. He particularly mentioned an extraordinary performance of Ramlila by a troupe.
Thanks to his entrepreneurial skills and philanthropic expertise, he has been able to reach out to many people with food supplies and medical safety kits, something that has helped save many lives during the pandemic. With help from his son Sidhaant, a dedicated team at Ample Mission, and like-minded NGOs, Murarka successfully extended this help to many neighbouring states as well.
Mr. ONKARESHWAR PANDEY, noted Indian Journalist, Author, Thought Leader and Editor in Chief of Indian Observer Post while welcoming the guests in the INDIA-INDONESIA HIGH POWER DIALOGUE said, “Maritime security, Healthcare, Education and Technology are some of the key areas, where India and Indonesia can increase bilateral cooperation and business.”
Highlighting the aims and objectives of the webinar, Mr Pandey, also the Founder and CEO of Golden Signatures said, “Despite the fact that the two great civilizations share over 2,000 years old relationships, our people to people contacts are much below the desired and required level. India-Indonesia relations can grow in a healthy manner in the future if the latter’s past is properly understood and right conclusions drawn by both nations.”
“Trade between the two countries in 2016 was $12.9 billion. It rose 28.7 per cent to $18.13 billion in 2017 with Indonesia's exports to India reaching $14.08 billion and its imports from India standing at $4.05 billion. Now both the countries have set an ambitious $50 billion target for bilateral trade over the next six years during the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joko Widodo’s last meeting held in Osaka, Japan in the sidelines of the G20 Summit on Jun 29, 2019, however we must explore and work for enhance it more and more,” Mr. Pandey said.
Mr Pandey who has visualized the launch of International Business Connect and Networking Dialogues Series through International webinar concluded that India’s and Indonesia’s world views of “self-reliance” and “national resilience” have evolved out of a common philosophy of non-alignment though differences in interpretation, have resulted out of cultural nuances, historical experience, and policy choices. Indonesia, having a mind-boggling geographical spread; is characterised by intense nationalism, and can boast of an impressive record of economic development. It is the largest member state of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and could potentially play a significant role in Indian Ocean security dynamics. Thus, it should be the subject of far greater attention. Both countries must explore to increase people to people contacts, relations and business too. We must focus on strengthening our relations through economy, education, technology, innovation, health, wellness, and tourism & culture.
Other distinguished speakers and Special Guests were:
Dr KUSUMA CHANDRA - Founder & CEO, PT. ASIA STRATEGI KONSULTING, Indonesia
Dr. MEENA K WOOD, EDU STRATEGIST and THOUGHT LEADER, London, UK
Ms. APARNA RANADIVE - Executive Director, Global Chambers, Mumbai
Ms. AARTI GUPTA – Chairperson, Common Ground Consultants, Bangalore
Dr. RAHUL SINGH - BIMTECH, Greater Noida, UP, India.
Ms. HIMANGI ARORA MISHRA, Founder, Nirmukt Foundation, Delhi
Dr. Sonali Mishra, Academician, Editor, Author and Social worker, Indore, MP
The event was supported and managed by Md. Azharuddin Ahmed and Maahi Yashodhar.
There were three special guests & Observers: Dr. PRIMNATH GUPTA – Trinidad & Tobago; Shri NARAYAN KUMAR - Hony. Director, Linguist & Cultural Activist, ARSP, Delhi; and Shri RAJSHEKHARAN PILLAI, Edu Thought Leader, South Africa.
Mr. CHANDRAN IYER, Founder Editor & Publisher – Corporate Tycoons, Pune gave vote of thanks to the guests.
ABOUT THE ORGANISERS
The event was organised by GOLDEN SIGNATURES and Indian Observer Post in association with Corporate Tycoons, Pune and Asia Strategies Konsulting, Jakarta, Indonesia. It was supported by four knowledge networks - GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADERS I WOMEN THOUGHT LEADERS I WORLD WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP NETWORK & INDIAN THOUGHT LEADERS . Established in 2018, GOLDEN SIGNATURES (GOLDEN SIGNATURES RESEARCH AND CONSULTING) GSRC has the roots in Rurban Media Pvt Ltd, which was found in 2015. Rurban Media owns Daily Newspapers titled – New Observer Post (English & Hindi) (RNI Registered). Founded by Onkareshwar Pandey, a 9 time experienced Editor, noted journalist and Thought Leader, GOLDEN SIGNATURES is host of several reputed brands, networks of Knowledge Leaders; research, study and survey agency focussed on rural India; and many other leadership series, programs and national level projects.