Wassenaar – As a token of appreciation and furnishing the Embassy’s Colour Guards with a taste of diplomacy skill, H.E. Ambassador I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja officially invited the corps to the annual ‘table manners’ event organised at the Indonesian Ambassadorial Residence in Wassenaar after the flag-hoisting ceremony on Friday afternoon, 17 August 2018. In his welcoming address, Ambassador Puja praised the flag-hoisting corps for their flawless and excellent performance during the solemn flag ceremony to commemorate the 73rd anniversary of Indonesian independence that had earlier taken place at the Indonesian School of The Hague. Unlike the rainy situation last year, the weather today sided with the wishes of the audience: sunny, mild and pleasant temperature.
As all of the corps members are students, furthermore, Ambassador Puja encouraged the guards to study hard and polish their skills in chasing their dreams and to compete globally. The patio facing the green and pleasing front yard of the residence became the tacit eyewitness of this formal acknowledgement account.
During the table manners that followed Ambassador Puja explained and show to the guard members the manners of entertaining meals and drinks in a diplomacy setting. He also unwrapped numerous symbols and meanings related to the formal banquet. H.E. Ambassador’s explanations were very clear, kort en bondig as Dutch call it, interspaced with some jokes, put the guard members – many of whom experienced such official setting for the first time – at ease and enjoyed the learning process. Along the course, a Q & A session was also granted.
Present in the event were Ms Rusdijana Puja, Deputy Chief of Mission, Mr Fikri Cassidy and spouse, Ms Veni Soedirman-Cassidy, Defence Attaché, Colonel (Navy) Azwan Yusuf, Coordinator of Economic Function, Mr Noorman Effendi, Education and Cultural Attaché, Dr Din Wahid. Besides, the guards were also in the company of the Chief Trainer, Major (Air Force) Kurniawan Susan Driyanto and assistant, Captain (Air Force) Okky Freeza Prana Ghita Daulay, the Acting Principal of the Indonesian School of The Hague, Mr Gunar Yadi, as well of Mr Ponco Handayawati of SIDH as photographer.
Prior to the main course of the programme, Ambassador Puja also conferred the certificates of appreciation to the guards. In this occasion, correspondingly H.E. Ambassador praised SIDH and all participating parties. Seventeen of the 22 corps members are SIDH students. The others are members of Indonesian Students Association The Hague Chapter, 1 alumna, 2 students of the International School of The Hague.
