The Director General of Hindu Community Guidance at the Ministry of Religious Affairs, I Nengah Duija, conducted an official visit to South Konawe Regency, Southeast Sulawesi, on Saturday. During the visit, he directly observed educational activities at Widyalaya institutions and reviewed the development of Pratama and Adi Widyalaya as part of efforts to strengthen Hindu education in the region.
The visit was attended by the Head of Hindu Community Guidance (Pembimas) of Southeast Sulawesi Province, representatives of Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia of South Konawe Regency, section heads of Hindu Community Guidance from South Konawe, East Kolaka, and Konawe, as well as Hindu religious counselors, Hindu religion teachers, and members of the Hindus in Andolo Utama.
On this agenda, I Nengah Duija emphasized that the development of Widyalaya institutions plays a strategic role in preparing future Hindu human resources. He stated that Widyalaya serves as an essential platform for building a strong foundation in religious education from an early age, which can then continue through higher education.
He explained that education through Widyalaya is not only about religious instruction but also serves as a means of character development, strengthening spiritual values, and nurturing knowledgeable and principled Hindu generations.
Concerning reviewing educational progress, I Nengah Duija also highlighted the development of Pura in South Konawe, particularly in the Andolo Utama area. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the construction of Hindu places of worship as part of strengthening religious life in the region.
“Puras are not only places of worship but also centers for spiritual and social activities within the Hindus. Therefore, we remain committed to supporting the development of temples in Andolo Utama,” he stated.
Furthermore, he noted that the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance continues to expand Widyalaya educational units across various regions in Indonesia. Recently, a total of 159 Widyalaya institutions have been established, contributing to the strengthening of the national Hindu education system.
At the same time, the Hindu community in Andolo Utama conveyed several aspirations regarding the development of religious education in the area. They expressed hope that the construction of additional Widyalaya classrooms would become a priority, enabling the development of Widyalaya Sesa in line with the grand design of Hindu education to proceed more effectively and sustainably.
The community also expressed appreciation and gratitude for the Director General’s visit to Andolo Utama, South Konawe. The presence of I Nengah Duija was regarded as a historic moment, as he is among the few senior level officials to visit and directly observe the condition of the Hindu community in the area.
In addition, the community expressed hope for continued support from the Directorate General of Hindu Community Guidance in developing temple infrastructure in Andolo Utama, so that places of worship can grow and further strengthen the spiritual life of the local community.
This visit forms part of broader efforts to strengthen both education and religious life among Hindu communities in the region. Through the sustainable development of Widyalaya institutions, it is expected that future generations of Hindus will be well-rounded, principled, and ready to face future challenges, while also reinforcing spiritual values and communal harmony in South Konawe.
Translated by Muhammad Mahmud Alhushori
