Aksara

Rajapatni.com: SURABAYA – Indonesia and India have a long history of cultural relations and cooperation, in this field continues to be strengthened. This includes various forms of exchange, such as the exchange of artist delegations, art festivals, and art exhibitions.

The strengthening of this cooperation has been strengthened by the signing of the Indonesia-India Cultural Exchange Program 2025-2028 which was signed in a series of commemorations of the Independence Day of the Republic of India in January 2025. The signing of this agreement was carried out by the Indonesian Minister of Culture, Fadli Zon, and the Indian Minister of Culture, Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.

This shows a positive picture and optimism between the two countries. With full awareness, this sense of optimism was captured by the Javanese script community in Surabaya, Puri Aksara Rajapatni. This community, through the Javanese script, not only introduces and teaches the Javanese script to the public, but also traces its historical roots, which are apparently related to India.

Therefore, the Indian Ambassador to Indonesia Sandeep Chakravorty met Puri Aksara Rajapatni on the sidelines of his working visit to Surabaya. From the informal meeting and discussion, an agenda comes up in an effort to advance the Sanskrit language. While Sanskrit itself is still commonly used in Indonesia as a loan language.

In the future, it is hoped that there will be an exchange of students, teachers and activists who teach scripts and languages. This agenda is a form of real implementation of Indonesian-Indian cultural cooperation.

“As a start, we will do it via zoom. Next, it is not impossible, we can send teachers to study Sanskrit in India. Later it will be open to S1, S2 and even S3 levels,” explained Ambassador Chakravorty in his meeting with Puri Aksara Rajapatni in Surabaya (24/5/25).

This is a great opportunity for Javanese language teachers and language and script activists in Java. According to the Honorary Consul of India for East Java, Central Java and Yogyakarta, Manota Bhat, the opportunity is also for those outside Java.

“Even if there are participants who come from outside the island, such as Kalimantan and Sulawesi, it is possible,” said Manoj Bhat, Honorary Consul of India in East Java and Central Java.

Meanwhile, in welcoming various future activities, Puri Aksara Rajapatni will inventory competent Javanese language teachers to develop the ancient foreign language, Sanskrit. This program will later be a form of strengthening Indonesian-Indian cultural cooperation. (PAR/nng)