Spreader of Literacy Spirit Nirwan Ahmad Arsuka Passes Away

Nirwan Ahmad Arsuka's body may face the Almighty, but the enthusiasm to spread literacy throughout the country will never stop.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

RIZA FATHONI

Nirwan Ahmad Arsuka, Mobile Library Literacy Activist

Literacy activist and founder of Pustaka Bergerak, Nirwan Ahmad Arsuka, has passed away at the age of 55 in Jakarta. His contribution in promoting and increasing reading interest among Indonesian society throughout the country is invaluable. According to plan, his body will be laid to rest in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

The spirit of Pustaka Bergerak originated from Nirwan's concern seeing children outside the capital city of Jakarta who do not have access to quality knowledge through books and readings. However, they are not inferior in intelligence to urban children and have the potential to develop their regions with relevant culture.

"Why is that? Because polar bears and dinosaurs have translation books. Nice and visual too. Meanwhile, on horses and buffaloes, even if there is a book, it is not interesting because it is done carelessly and without love. Maybe it's just to meet the target," said Nirwan in an interview with Kompas, December 19, 2021.

KOMPAS/MOHAMAD FINAL DAENG

The crew of the Pattingalloang Book Library Boat, a mobile library, transported books from the boat as it docked on the shores of Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi, on Thursday (19/5).

Extinct, they are the ones who misread. Our ancestors had the ability to read with their own literacy so they were able to survive.

With a reading culture, Nirwan hopes that the values of tolerance and critical imagination will continue to grow in society. With that, peaceful and independent community life will increasingly bring prosperity to society.

"The ones who go extinct are the ones who failed to read correctly. Our ancestors had the ability to read using their own literacy so that they were capable of surviving," he said.

Since August 17, 2014, every month on the 17th, Nirwan and activists at Pustaka Bergerak have been sending books to remote areas across the country, from Sabang to Merauke. The books are obtained from various donors and distributed by plane to cities.

Also read: Indonesia, Work, Enlightenment

After landing, the books were distributed to remote areas of the country by any means necessary. Some were transported by motorbike, horse, horse-drawn carriage, cart, tricycle, minibus, cart, boat, and even carried by people. In the period from May 2017 to December 2019 alone, around 313 tons of books were distributed throughout Indonesia. The shipping cost, which amounted to Rp 14 billion, was not considered a problem.

Nirwan collaborates with everyone, from tire patchers, traveling merchants, students, housewives, police officers, artists, to horse caretakers. Their presence with their books is always eagerly awaited by the community in remote areas, creating intense social interaction among the people.

ADRYAN YOGA PARAMADWYA

Deputy General Leader of Kompas Budiman Tanuredjo (right) handed over the Kompas.id Digital Literacy Scholarship to the founder of the Indonesian Mobile Library, Nirwan Ahmad Arsuka (left), in celebration of Kompas.id's 6th Birthday at the Tower Kompas, Jakarta, Wednesday (8/3/2023).

This Nuclear Engineering graduate from Gadjah Mada University has a close relationship with Kompas. He was a guest editor for Insert Bentara Budaya Kompas and a member of the Jakarta Bentara Budaya Curatorial Council. There are a total of 11 of his writings on social, culture, gender, science, nationality, and literacy in the Kompas opinion column. His thoughts are often included in several issues raised by Kompas journalists.

Currently, the body of Nirwan is being laid at the National Center General Hospital Dr. Cipto Mangunkusumo (RSCM) after being found dead in his apartment in Jakarta on Sunday (6/8/2023) around 22.45. The volunteers are deeply saddened by the loss of Nirwan. They hope that his spirit will always be embedded in the 2,800 moving library knots, along with tens of thousands of volunteers.

"No wonder. The cool morning breeze feels suffocating. The sad news came from the capital city. Bringing grief to the literary world. Nirwan Ahmad Arsuka has peacefully passed away to Nirvana," wrote Pustaka Bergerak in its official statement.

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