Promoting Inward Tourism From Indonesia To India

Indonesia and India, two strong nations who rose up post their independence like a phoenix and are on their path of development and progress share history together.
The Ramayana, has its footprints in Indonesia, Soil2Soul Expeditions hence launched its unique program, Discover Your Inner Rama in Jakarta, Indonesia on 16th August 2024. A proposition to create a Ramayana corridor between the two nations would thus promote not only inbound tourism into India from Indonesia but also outbound tourism into Indonesia.

A special celebration took place at the Gandhi Memorial International School (GMIS), Jakarta, Indonesia. Organized by Gandhi Seva Loka and Soil2Soul Expeditions, this event celebrated the shared historic, spiritual and cultural heritage between India and Indonesia, marking the Independence Days of both nations. The evening, enriched with Indian spiritual music, was a symbolic occasion to strengthen the bonds between the two. This cultural event featured performances by Bhajan Samrat Padma Shri Anup Jalota, a renowned figure in Indian devotional music, Ms. Shiva Choudhury, the soulful Indonesian artist Bona Alit, and Shaan, a young Indonesian tabla prodigy.

The fusion of Indian and Indonesian talent captivated an audience of over 700 guests, including prominent dignitaries like Shri Bijay Selvarai, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Indian Embassy, R.C. Mishra, Second Secretary at the Indian Embassy, Shri Manoj Bhat, Honorary Consul of India in Surabaya, and Shri Jivat Khiani, Vice President of Gandhi Seva Loka. The presence of Padma Shri Agus Indra Udayana, a significant cultural figure in Indonesia, added further gravitas to the evening. Shri Hemant Sheth, Director Soil2Soul Expeditions felicitated Padma Shri Anup Jalota, Padma Shri Agus Indra dayana and board members of Gandhi Seva Loka. The Discover Your hnner Rama program and the broader vision of the Ramayana Corridor have the potential to foster deeper ties between the people of India and Indonesia. By promoting spiritual tourism, this initiative supports the growth of sustainable tourism while honoring the ancient Indo-Javanese legacy.