Every year on November 10, Indonesians commemorate National Heroes Day. This commemoration refers to the events of the great battle in Surabaya on November 10, 1945. Commemoration of National Heroes Day can be used as a momentum to commemorate the services and struggles of the heroes at that time.

However, nowadays, to be a hero you don't have to be involved in a war first. You can be a hero if you have achievements or something that is fought for the benefit of many people. The war we face is not about taking up arms, but more about fighting for important issues. Modern heroes could be individuals who fight on their particular battlefields with goals and outcomes that make Indonesia proud. So these are 5 modern heroes who can be role models for the new generation.

Farwiza Farhan — Environmental Activist

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Farwiza | Forest Conservation (@wiiiiza)

Farwiza Farhan, an environmental activist and conservationist from Aceh, has been named one of TIME 2022 Magazine's inspirational personalities. Farwiza is also the President of the Aceh Natural Forest and Environment Foundation (HAkA). Wiza's dedication to forest protection is clearer than ever as she implements new initiatives to help preserve forests.

One of these is a fight against some parties that see Leuser as nothing more than a cash cow. Due to his doggedness, Wiza also won construction-related litigation in Leuser in 2012.

Kholidin — Archer

 

 

 

 

 

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Kholidin is one of the Indonesian archery athletes. He became Indonesia's representative at the 2022 ASEAN Para Games. He won three different medals: gold, silver, and bronze.  

Kholidin is the sole participant in the archery competition that uses an unconventional shooting style. He fired his bow by yanking on the strings with his right side teeth. And with his left hand, he steadied and holds his bow.

Eklin Amtor de Fretes — Story Teller

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Eklin Amtor de Fretes (@kak_eklin)

Eklin Amtor de Fretes is a storyteller who carries a story with a message of tolerance in it. Together with his puppet named Dodi, Eklin visited areas in Maluku to tell stories. He tells stories of peace to teens and children.

Eklin's goal in "Dongeng Damai" is to counter conflict narratives that can promote division using an approach that is pleasant and easy to accept. To facilitate the translation of children's fairy tales into other languages, the Learning at " Dongeng Damai" program also provides instruction in English, German, and art.

After setting up the Youth Interfaith Peace Camp, Eklin thought that peace education activities were also needed for young children in Maluku. Because of the existence of regional segregation in Maluku, his parents often tell stories of the conflict in 1999. 

Marsya, Sitti, and Widi — Voice of Baceprot (VOB) 

 

 

 

 

 

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Voice of Baceprot’s three members face prejudice at home and abroad for embracing ‘the devil’s music' and wearing hijabs – but on stage, only one thing matters: the power of rock. In the midst of a pandemic that still has no endpoint, VoB managed to record its own achievements by holding a music tour to Europe in 2021 and shaking the stage of Synchronize Festival 2022. 

Formed in 2014, this band is fronted by three hijabi girls, namely Firda Marsya Kurnia (vocals and guitar), Widi Rahmawati (bass), and Euis Siti Aisyah (drums). They joined VoB when all three were still in high school and were assisted by a counseling teacher, Ersa Eka Susila Satia.

Novalia Pishesha — Innovator 

Novalia identified a promising novel vaccine candidate against Covid-19 that is amenable to existing infrastructure in Indonesia. Due to the fact that it does not need to be stored in a refrigerator, the vaccine she developed is also considered to be less expensive and more convenient to deliver. The MIT Technology Review named Nova, along with Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Page, one of the 35 most innovative Asian-Pacific young adults last October. 

She is considered to have pioneered nanobody technology for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The Innovators Under 35 MIT Technology Review itself recognizes young innovators whose work can revolutionize lifestyles and shape the future of technology and industry.