M

EDAN: Following her achievement of winning the Miss Grand International 2016 title in late October, Ariska Putri Pertiwi returned to her hometown of Medan in North Sumatra for the first time on Saturday.

Alongside her parents Sudi Warsito and Hariati and administration officials, Ariska was welcomed by dance and Gordang Sambilan traditional music performances from South Tapanuli.

During her stay, she plans to visit an orphanage, the Rahmat International Wildlife Museum & Gallery and several beauty class events.

North Sumatra Governor Erry Nuradi said Indonesia, especially the province, was proud of Ariska’s accomplishment. “Thank you for Ariska for popularizing Indonesia, especially North Sumatra, in the international scene. Don’t forget to promote our country, especially our province’s tourism,” said Erry on Saturday.

He said the government was currently developing the Lake Toba tourism area to become the Monaco of Asia. “Who else will promote Lake Toba tourism if not ourselves?” — JP