“Indonesia owes a great debt of gratitude to her students, past and present. Students of the so-called Generation of ’45 helped Indonesia to win her independence. Students of what is styled the Generation of ’66 aided in the defeat of the Communists and the coming into being of the New Order. Students of the 1970s and 1980s have been or will be preparing to play their role in Indonesia’s national development.” (From ‘Emerging Indonesia’ by Donald Wilhelm, 1980.)
This makes me think about my genertion, the Generation of the 2000s, the first century of the new millenium, what will be my service to my country? The Generation of the 1990s has just finished their calling. Now, history is looking and waiting at us. If somebody writes another book again about the life and the contribution of Indonesian students in the 2000s, what would they be? Benjamin Franklin often credited with this saying, “If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.” Hm, the pen is in our hands now, what would we write in the History?