My travel article on Jakarta in the Free Press Journal

http://www.freepressjournal.in/news/14097-Jakarta-Glimpses-of-Indonesias-Past--Present-and-Future.html

Laskar Pelangi (The Rainbow Troops)

Two decades before the East Asian financial crisis, the Indonesian island of Belitong was booming. The island, which is blessed with minerals and natural resources, is the setting for Laskar Pelangi (The Rainbow Troops), a film based on a book by Andrea Hirata.

Hirata's childhood memories take us back to Belitong, where his teachers Muslimah and Pak Arfan struggle to keep an Islamic school open. The well-heeled on the island send their children to a modern private school, while the labourers feel education is a waste of time for theirs. The movie follows the joys, trials an tribulations of the teachers and the 10 children.

Set in picturesque surroundings of rural Indonesia, the film captures the beautiful friendship between the children as they share their dreams. Pak Arfan plays the role of the simple and dignified principal, who works his heart out to keep the school open and imbibes the non-Wahabi qualities of Islam. He passes on the torch to Muslimah, a beautiful young teacher who inspires the students to perform well in academics and extra-curricular activities.

Laskar Pelangi captures both the innocence of childhood as well as the struggles of the poor to live a dignified life in rural Indonesia. The storyline is filled with surprises and shows how superstitions and traditions from the animistic and pre-Islamic culture of the country is still alive.

A heart-warming comedy and touching story like this can't leave any viewer untouched. I can see why the film is the biggest box office hit in Indonesian history

Jakarta Diaries - Shah Rukh Khan

Although India and Indonesia have civilizational links that go back thousands of years, since the days of bonhomie between Nehru and Soekarno, there has been a large disconnect between the people of these 2 great countries.

Indonesians, especially the Javanese, consider the Ramayana as their own and there is Sanskrit everywhere in Indonesia, in the language, in the names of people and coporations. In the 21st century, Indonesians in general seem to know little about India but there is an undeniable warmth towards India in the streets of Jakarta.

The most popular Indian in the country since Pandit Nehru is undoubtedly Shah Rukh Khan. Right from the customs officer at the Soekarno Airport to cab drivers and random people I met on the streets, India is now synonymous with the Bollywood actor.

The most pleasant Bollywood-related experience I had occurred at the Tamah Fatiullah, a cobble-stoned square near thee Old Dutch Town Hall in the northern part of Jakarta. On a peaceful weekday afternoon, Agosh, a balloon seller approached me and asked me if I was from India. When I replied in the affirmative, he became excited and started singing Hindi songs and speaking to me in excellent Hindi.

Agosh

Within 5 minutes, we started singing the song 'Yeh Dosti' from Sholay. He told me about it was his greatest dream to visit Bombay and have street food on Chowpatty Beach. Agosh is still in school and I am sure that his dream will come true.

Wherever I went in Java, people told me about how much they love Shah Rukh Khan. Bollywood might just be a great way to bring these wonderful countries together again. The next time I go to Indonesia, I will carry many photos of Mr Khan to present to his adulating fans.

Yogyakarta

The heart and soul of Javanese culture can be found in Yogyakarta, which is an extremely pleasant place to spend a few months.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7444188@N05/sets/72157627043719347/

Sights of Jakarta

Indonesia's capital and largest city is a microcosm of the country. It offers the best and worst of the archipelago. Glitzy high-rises, heritage buildings and party zones go hand in hand with crowds, pollution and possibly the worst traffic jams on earth.

Although ignored by tourists, the city has plenty of offer to visitors.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7444188@N05/sets/72157627012483705/