Strengthening India-Bali Relations, NCPI Bali to Cooperate from Economy to Tourism

Denpasar (Atnews) — Nawa Cita Wisata Indonesia (NCPI) of Bali Chapter will strengthen Bali—India cooperation in the fields of economy, tourism, education and culture.

It is considering that India and Indonesia, especially Bali, have cultural similarities. This is what drives the high interest of Indian tourists in spending holidays in Bali.

Indian tourists are included in the top three countries traveling to Bali. Likewise, Indian is included in the list of the top five foreign tourists coming to Indonesia. The potential is quite large, even though there are no direct flights from India to Bali and vice versa.

For this reason, NCPI Bali will bridge Bali and the Government of India in increasing cooperation so that it can improve the economy and the quality of human resources because India is qualified in the fields of education, technology, science, health (Ayurveda) and others.

“NCPI Bali is ready to follow up and bridge the cooperation between India and Bali,” said Chairman of the NCPI Bali, Agus Maha Usadha, in Denpasar, Monday (May 22).

This was conveyed when the NCPI Bali delegates had an audience with the Indian Consul General for Bali, Neeharika Singh. On that occasion were present the Advisor of NCPI Bali, Prof. Dr. Nyoman Sunarta, who is also the Head of the Udayana University Tourism Doctoral Program, the Advisor of NCPI Bali I Ketut Ngastawa, Febe Indah Rahayu, Komang Puji, AA Sagung Mirah, Ni Wayan Jani Anantara and Painter I Made Somadita.

Agus Maha Usadha is optimistic that the collaboration between the two parties can be realized because the welcome extended by Indian Consul General to Bali, Neeharika Singh, was so warm.

Moreover, there is an offer of various possible collaborations that can be realized in supporting the Balinese economy which still relies on the tourism sector. This collaboration is also in accelerating economic recovery of Bali after the Covid-19 pandemic and global geopolitical tensions.

At that moment, Agus also handed over portraits of Indian Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, Indian President Draupadi Murmu and portraits of Neeharika Singh.

The paintings of the faces of Indian leaders were created by two artists from Bali, namely I Made Somadita and I Made Rudita using a watercolor technique made when the world leaders participated in the Indonesian G20 Presidency last November 2022 in Bali.

The theme of the painting is “From Bali with Love,” in the spirit of the NCPI tagline namely “Bali Spirit of the World.”

The work on this masterpiece is an initiative of NCPI Bali together with the artists. The G20 event in Bali could give vibrations of love and peace to the world. Especially now that the G20 2023 will be held in India with the theme “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam—One Earth. One Family. One Future.”

Previously, the G20 in Indonesia with the theme “Recover Together, Recover Stronger” was expected to provide sustainable protection for the environment and food security.

Meanwhile, the painter Somadita admitted that the painting was quite complicated and required accuracy and thoroughness. Thus, each painting took nearly three days to complete. But he felt proud that the painting could be accepted by the Consul General of India for Bali, Neeharika Singh.

“I really enjoy painting great figures as a form of appreciation. They are figures who have contributed to the public and the world,” said Somadita, who was also invited to attend an art workshop by the Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) Bhubaneswar, Orissa India in 2014.

In the meantime, Indian Consul General for Bali, Neeharika Singh, conveyed there are many scholarships in various fields (education, technology, arts and culture and so on) offered by the Government of India. Of course, these opportunities can be taken by the young generation of Bali.

“If so far many Indians have traveled to Bali, I want the younger generation of Bali to be able to visit and study in India so that they can maintain the relationship having arleady existed for centuries,” she said.

Moreover, she continued that Bali and India so far have had many cultural similarities and there are cultural ties, and Indians are very interested in Bali.

Neeharika also admired the portraits of Indian leaders she had received, which showed such perfect detail. On that occasion, she also mentioned that the economy of Bali does not depend only on the tourism sector and can capture potential outside of tourism.

Moreover, NCPI Bali was invited to jointly make International Yoga a success on June 21, 2023 which will be centered on the Niti Mandala Bajra Sandhi Renon Denpasar field. (GAB/ART/001)