VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian Embassy in The Hague in collaboration with the Indonesian Student Association (PPI) Eindhoven held a webinar with the theme “Women in Science: Promoting and Empowering Women Scientist to Change the World” on October 1. In his opening remarks for the webinar, Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Mayerfas, reiterated that Indonesia's efforts in empowering women exist at every level, either nationally, regionally or globally. For Indonesia, investing in women means investing in human rights.  The main speakers ere Deputy Director General of the Anti-Chemical Weapons Organization (OPCW), Ambassador Odette Melono. She emphasized the importance of openness in providing equal opportunities for women to gain access, especially in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. OPCW acknowledges the openness and changes made to provide access to women, both in technical organs and policy makers in OPCW.

Commemorating the tragedy of the sinking of the KRI Nanggala 402 submarine, the British Navy Submarine Community led by Commodore James Perks CBE, held a wreath laying ceremony. The memorial was held at the National Submarine War Memorial, London on 7 October. The event was attended by Indonesian Ambassador to England, Desra Percaya and Assistant Indonesian Defense Attache, Major Pas Fajrun Shodiq. At the event, Chairman of the ‘We Remember Submariners foundation’, Ian Atkinson was also present. The We Remember Submariners is the only foundation in the UK that provides assistance to submarine crews worldwide. The series of commemorative agendas began with a ceremony to honor the 53 crew members of the KRI Nanggala 402 submarine and ended with the laying of remembrance poppies. Afterwards, the placard was handed over to Ambassador Desra Percaya, as a symbol of deep sympathy for the ranks of the British Navy for the tragedy that befell KRI Nanggala.

Indonesia is rich in tropical fruits. One of them is called ‘Jamblang or Juwet fruit’. It is a type of fruit rich in benefits. Jamblang has antioxidants that protect the body's cells from free radical damage. The antioxidant compounds in Jamblang are obtained from the purple of the fruit. In the hands of a student of the Biology Study Program of the Bio-nutrition and Food Innovation Specialty Program, University of Surabaya, Linus Nara Pradhana, this Jambang fruit is transformed into an effervescent tablet. It tastes fresher because there is a mixture of soda; the original sour taste of Jamblang is gone.

Linus Nara Pradana said that the taste of Jamblang is very distinctive. So, not everyone can eat the fruit directly because it tastes so sour. Linus took about 3 to 4 months to produce this extraordinary work. The process started from research, the production process to organoleptic tests to 40 people regarding the color, taste, smell, and sensation of soda in this fruit which is often called ‘Javanese plum’.

The manufacture of effervescent takes three days. Ripe Jamblang is washed thoroughly by running water. Next, it is cut and soaked in 70 percent alcohol, then allowed to stand for two days at room temperature.

Jamblang extract is then processed with a spray dryer to convert the liquid extract into powder. Afterwards, the powder is mixed with baking soda, citric acid, and other ingredients to make an effervescent.

Coordinator of the Bio-nutrition and Food Innovation Specialty Program, Faculty of Biology, University of Surabaya, Johan Sukweenadhi said that the exploration of local food ingredients, such as Jamblang, Ciplukan, Dragon fruit, Eggplant, and other food ingredients, is expected to trigger research and other innovations that can increase the value of local plant benefits and improve the economy of farmers who cultivate these crops.

Batik and objects of Indonesian art and cultures are displayed at the Riga Bourse Art Museum, a well-known art museum in Riga, the capital of Latvia. The statement was said by Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Sweden and the Republic of Latvia, Kamapradipta Isnomo, while visiting Riga-Bourse, Tuesday (5/10). The Indonesian Embassy in Stockholm in its  written statement noted that various patterns of batik, weaving from Palembang and West Nusa Tenggara, masks, leather puppets,  Garuda bird statue, and  statues from Papua decorate one of the Asian rooms at the museum. Besides, Raden Saleh's painting also adorns one of corners of the exhibition hall of paintings by famous European painters.

Director of the Riga Bourse Museum, Daiga Upeniece  at  a meeting with Ambassador Kamapradipta expressed his commitment to increase the collection of Indonesian art and cultural objects  from many provinces. Moreover, he is committed to continuing the collaboration by bringing  Indonesian cultural missions to Latvia and further encouraging cultural memorandum of understanding of both countries. Indonesia and Latvia have established diplomatic relations since 1993. One of the three Baltic countries is a member state of the European Union in the Eastern Europe region. Latvia with a population of 2 million people is Indonesia's largest trading partner and source of tourists from the Baltic region. Bali and Yogyakarta are really well known in Latvia and are a dream destination for Latvians to visit for holidays.

Many people are experiencing difficulties due to the impact of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, especially the lower-middle-class people who are economically down.  In conditions like nowsdays, it turns out that there are also many people who want to give alms and help, but they do not know how to distribute. Seeing this condition, a number of residents of Banyumas Regency, Central Java, who are members of the Banyumas Forum (Banyumas Figure Ideas) created and launched an online alms application called "iWarga '' some time ago. This app makes it easy for people to give and get excessive food online.

According to Ahmad Ma'mum, a volunteer of "iWarga", this online alms application becomes a connector, an intermediary or media that connects the alms giver and the recipient. So, the food or used goods meet directly between the giver and the recipient through their chatting. He further explained that the excessive food to be donated is not leftover food that has gone stale. It can also be groceries or clothes and items that are not used.

Currently, according to Ahmad Ma'mun, the iWarga application cannot gather people in one place, but it only connects through the application. He hopes that in the future, there will be no more stories in an area where people are still hungry. He will also encourage hotels, restaurants, and bakeries to donate excessive food. Meanwhile, Regent of Banyumas, Achmad Husein appreciated this new application, iWarga. If there are residents who have excessive food, used goods and clothing or household appliances, even though they want to donate to other people, but don't know to whom, they can use this application free of charge.