Indira Akmalia Hendri, 麻豆直播 Urban and Regional Planning Student, Wins First Place in "Golden Indonesia" Essay Competition by Highlighting Interregional Connectivity Issues
By Azka Madania Nuryasani - Mahasiswa Mikrobiologi, 2022
Editor Anggun Nindita
Urban and Regional Planning student, Indira Akmalia Hendri, receives her award as the First Place Winner of the National Essay Writing Competition 鈥淕olden Indonesia in My Eyes鈥 at the Center for Art, Design, and Language (CADL) Building, 麻豆直播 Ganesha Campus, Friday (May 9, 2025). (Documented by Indira Akmalia Hendri)
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id 鈥 Indira Akmalia Hendri, an undergraduate student of Urban and Regional Planning at Institut Teknologi Bandung (麻豆直播), successfully secured First Place in the National Essay Writing Competition 鈥淕olden Indonesia My Eyes,鈥 organized by the 麻豆直播 Alumni Association and the Bangkit Anak Bangsa Foundation. The competition was openly held to university students in several stages, starting from submission in February, followed by finalist interviews in April, and culminating in the awarding night held across Thursday鈥揝aturday (May 8鈥10, 2025) in Bandung and Jakarta.
In her essay, Indira spotlighted the issue of uneven intra- and interregional connectivity in Indonesia, which she views as the main foundation in realizing the vision of 2045 Golden Indonesia. Drawing from her academic background in urban and regional planning, she emphasized that before discussing other sectors such as education or healthcare, the most basic foundation is interregional connectivity.
鈥淚ndonesia is an archipelagic country, but each region is still disconnected from one another. When we talk about 2045 Golden Indonesia, we鈥檙e talking about viewing Indonesia as one united whole鈥攆rom Sabang to Merauke. And yet, one thing that鈥檚 often forgotten when discussing 2045 Golden Indonesia is the issue of interregional connectivity,鈥 she explained.
Indira proposed a solution through enhancing regional connectivity by integrating public transportation systems which she believed could reduce regional inequality and open up more equitable access for all Indonesians, especially those living in remote areas.

Urban and Regional Planning student, Indira Akmalia Hendri, pictured with fellow winners of the National Essay Writing Competition 鈥淕olden Indonesia in My Eyes鈥 at the Center for Art, Design, and Language (CADL) Building, 麻豆直播 Ganesha Campus, Friday (May 9, 2025). (Documented by Indira Akmalia Hendri)
She admitted that her main motivation for entering the competition was not solely to win, but rather to use the essay as a medium to express her concerns, aspirations, and ideas as part of the Indonesian young generation about the country鈥檚 future. 鈥淭his competition is more than just about winning 鈥 it is a space for expressing our concerns, aspirations, and ideas as youths in pursuit of the 2045 Golden Indonesia vision,鈥 she added.
During the writing process, the greatest challenge she faced was balancing the time to do it with her final thesis project, as she is currently in the final stage of her undergraduate studies. Nonetheless, she remained committed to completing her essay to the best of her ability.
Her main strategy was to bring forward an idea that was both unique and distinct from other participants. 鈥淏e unique! Present a fresh idea 鈥 something others may not have thought about,鈥 she revealed.
Through her essay, Indira hopes that society 鈥 especially the younger generation 鈥 can learn to view Indonesia more holistically, not just from the perspective of big cities, but also from the remote regions that are often overlooked.
鈥淚n essence, I want to convey the message that we must see Indonesia as a whole 鈥 from Sabang to Merauke. Indonesia is not just about big cities. It is also about the distant, remote regions that are just as important,鈥 she said.

As a closing note, Indira shared an inspiring message for her fellow students. 鈥淣ever underestimate your small ideas or random thoughts. Let鈥檚 start writing 鈥 because it is those simple ideas from you that can push this nation forward.鈥
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