In 1945, Pandji’s father was still 7 years old. He had asked his mother (Pandji’s grandmother), “What is independence?” Initially, the grandmother responded confusedly to Pandji’s father. However, then, she said: “If all these (pointing to the surrounding environment) are ours.”
The boy asked again: “Are they all ours? Does it mean that while we are traveling by train, we don’t have to pay?” Grandma replied: “Yes!” (p. 103). In fact, today there is still no free food in this country. Through this dialogue, the author politically criticizes the nation’s independence.
However, the rapper and composer of the song “Raise your hands for Indonesia” also appreciated the contributions of many heroes. Our founding fathers fought for the independence of the Homeland. During (1945-1948), his father’s house was in Yogyakarta. The fence was made of bamboo. Its height is similar to the waist of an adult. Approximately the same as the front door in the Unyil and Pak Raden film series.
One day when Pandji’s grandmother pushed the fence, it felt too hard. Then she found a boy who died from a stray bullet. His body lay rigid and lifeless. The boy’s age was similar to that of Pandji’s father at the time. He was still holding arem-arem (traditional food made from rice) in the palm of his hand (p. 104).
In the past, this book was in the form of an e-book. Its online version has been downloaded more than 14,955 times. The print book launch of Nasional.Is.Me was held at the Jakarta Book Festival (2011). Recently, it has been reprinted 4 times. Surprisingly, Nasional.Is.Me also carried out an altruistic mission. The Hard Rock Cafe (HRC) broadcaster is applying the concept of sharing. When you buy a book, your copy is automatically provided free of charge to Indonesian youth living in rural areas. This charitable program was supported by Bentang Pustaka and the Sampoerna Foundation.
Systematically, this book consisted of 3 parts: Know your Indonesia, Find your passion and Work for the future of your people. In total there are 10 chapters. From “A request for contemplation” to “From the opening prayer line to the closing one”. This 330-page book is a kind of manifesto. The summary of some answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) from Pandji fans about his love for Indonesia.
An acute analysis of the presenter of this former Proactive Provocative was when he differentiated between nationalism in the United States and Indonesia. According to this coffee lover, the American country is made up of many immigrants who come together through sports. While the world has football (soccer), they created their own: American Football. Because? Because modern football came from England. The Native Americans also loved basketball very much. Through these 2 sports, all immigrants participated through the “joint product”. Thus, the unity of the nation is created.
So the most important question is: “In Indonesia, what kind of nationalism do we have?” According to Pandji, it is Pancasila, the 5 basic principles. That was in line with Anand Krishna’s view. Pancasila is the code of happiness of life (The Jakarta Post, July 13, 2012).
Also, as Bung Karno says, Pancasila was Philosophie Grondslag, the basic philosophy on which all races, religions, diversities rested in the embrace of the Motherland. It is the foundation on which the difference between “I” and “you” in “our” area is attached.
In this book, Pandji also researched the history of human civilization. Jakarta High School alumnus Gonzaga believed that Pancasila had made Indonesia not end up like India. The country that broke away from Pakistan after breaking free from England. The Islamic society (minority in India) thought that they would not be accommodated by the government. Also, they were afraid of civil war between Islam and Hinduism due to some political interests.
Someone knew then that it was Mahatma Gandhi who went on a hunger strike. The Mahatma would fast until the violence in India ceased. Finally, they ended the civil war all over India and Gandhi began to eat a mouthful of rice. However, the disintegration of India was inevitable.
Later, Pakistan founded its own Muslim community. After that, the Muslim and Hindu population migrated to the region from India and Pakistan. It was recorded as the greatest human tragedy of the 20th century. Many housemates were forced to separate from their own families due to religious differences and beliefs.
In this context, Pancasila made Indonesia relatively democratic. The 5 basic principles still unite us from Sabang to Merauke. Pandji has written the book based on his travel experience in the archipelago.
Pandji’s job allowed him to do that. He traveled from Padang, Belitung, Jakarta, Bandung, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Manado, Makassar, Bali, to Jayapura. The beauty of those regions left a deep mark on his heart.
She wrote of an unforgettable experience in Kupang, “Seeing the children there and hearing them sing the Kuan Kefa song, a local tradition about how to cure homesickness…then hearing the mothers sing together about the unit called Lais Manekat while sitting under the shade of a tree. I hardly believe it, it’s like in the movies, the sound of the wind doesn’t blow, it whistles…” (p.155).
Indeed, this book ignited the flame of optimism in the midst of thick clouds caused by corrupt politics. The young Pandji appealed to an altruistic vocation to transform this beloved republic. Affirming from ourselves in each circumference of our own depending on each profession of our own. We may not see that bright future. However, the next generation, our grandchildren will experience a better Indonesia. Happy reading!
Title: National.Is.Me
Author: Pandji
Publisher: Bentang Pustaka Yogyakarta
The Forth Published March 2012
Number of pages: xiv + 330
Price: Rp54,000
ISBN: 978-602-8811-53-8