Although Indonesians of Indian descent are a minority in comparison to the other ethnic groups, Indian entrepreneurs are known as the czars of the textile industry. And Vice President Jusuf Kalla, now a president candidate, knows that fact.
He was invited by Indian entrepreneur, Deli Singgih, to meet with more than 300 Indian-Indonesians for a gathering at his residence in Simprug, South Jakarta. Kalla addressed the crowd, which consisted largely of entrepreneurs, and explained that entrepreneurship required giving one's heart and soul to the business.
The Indonesians of Indian descent, who have remained in the textile and garment industry, have contributed to the country's economy. Years ago Indian entrepreneurs imported textiles, but this all changed when they decided to make Indonesia their home. Instead of importing textiles from India, they opened their own textile factories and started producing textiles locally. Most of the production from the industry is sold to the domestic market, while an average of 30 percent is exported.
The entrepreneurs told Kalla that since they migrated to Indonesia, they had never returned to India. They had adapted to Indonesia by speaking the language fluently and embracing the Indonesian culture, they said.
"We the Indonesians of Indian descent have always actively participated in the support of a prosperous Indonesia so that it is not left behind," Deli said.
"Although our ancestors are from India, Indonesia is our home," he added.
Kalla said his own father once owned a textile shop and remembered he used to help his father after school by bringing in rolls of material and selling them to customers. He said he was enthralled the textile industry had shifted from selling imported textiles to producing them locally.
He said he would like to see Indonesia in the future become a country where people are dependent on locally produced products, not imports.
Kalla is confident that Indonesians will be able to achieve this.
The event was celebrated with Indian dances and food, and included female guests dressed in India attire and men in batik shirts. The Indian-Indonesians said they were inspired by Kalla's slogan: lebih cepat lebih baik (the faster the better).
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