HARIANEXPRESS – A heartwarming moment marked the 81st Indonesian Independence Day (HUT RI ke-81) commemoration in the Jajar neighborhood, Kanigoro District, Blitar Regency. Following a solemn flag ceremony, residents participated in a unique raffle featuring kitchen spices and raw ingredients as prizes.
Many housewives expressed joy after receiving packages of cooking spices, a gesture of appreciation for their participation in the flag-raising ceremony.
Unique Celebration in Blitar
Mita Agustina, one of the residents, shared her excitement after the event. “Senang sekali dapat bumbu dapur, ini dapat bawang merah. Lumayan untuk tambah bumbu masak nanti,” she told.
Mita enthusiastically joined the flag ceremony in her residential area. While the independence commemoration is an annual event, the distribution of cooking spices through a raffle was a new initiative.
“Baru tahun ini ada undiannya. Jadi, kami tadi datang dikasih nomor, terus diundi setelah upacara. Ya senang, jadi semangat ikut upacara Agustusan ini,” she explained.
Ipung Sanjaya, the committee chairman, noted that the HUT RI ceremony in the neighborhood is held routinely each year. The activity aims to encourage residents to remember and appreciate the struggles of national heroes.
Boosting Community Engagement
The decision to offer cooking spices and raw ingredients as prizes was made to boost residents’ enthusiasm, especially for attending the flag ceremony. “Sebenarnya kami rutin. Tahun ini kami dari RT 05 dan RT 06 bergabung untuk menggelar upacara HUT RI. Kemudian, untuk meramaikan suasana kemerdekaan, kami berinisiatif menambahkan undian bumbu dapur dan sarapan bersama,” Ipung clarified.
According to Ipung, cooking spices and raw ingredients were chosen because they cater to the daily needs of the community, particularly housewives. The committee hoped this approach would motivate more residents to participate in the ceremony.
In addition to the prizes, attendees enjoyed a communal breakfast featuring ‘nasi pecel’ and ‘soto ayam’. “Kalau emak-emak biasanya pagi masih masak, jadi kami ganti dengan bumbu dapur dan lauk supaya masih bisa ikut upacara HUT RI ini,” he added.
The 81st Indonesian Independence Day ceremony was simple yet solemn, with youth serving as officers in black and white uniforms and participants dressed in traditional batik attire.
