Cultural diversity is one of the main national asset and foundation of country development. Unfortunately along with rapid growth of development in various aspects has often swept the culture aside. Being one of traditional transportation mode, dokar is among many other thing in cultural diversity which has been abandoned most of activities.
Celebration of the 52nd anniversary of Udayana 9th Military Command has brought back the abandoned tradition by conducting Wisata Dokar 2009. Opened by the 9th Military Commander, Major General Hotmangaraja Panjaitan, 70 dokars participated the parade taking the route along Jalan Pantai Kuta, Jalan Melasti, Jalan Legian, Jalan Bunisari and back to jalan Pantai Kuta. The parade was followed by on-stage entertainment session.
The commander reminded that in heating up for development the country should never forgot the cultural diversity it has. More than one of many traditional transportation mode for centuries, dokar has been and is still a profession for many. This is the hard evidence that dokar is a real form of people economy. Therefore presence of sustainability of dokar is a communal responsibility. “We should never forget culture in developing our country, there are many of us relying their life on it. It is a form of people economy which we shall maintain and promote”, he said.
The commander furher reminded that people should do more than watching and enjoying entertaining cultural performances, but have to also appreciate the culture. “This event is conducted to promote togetherness between civilians and armed force to sustain dokar as a one of country's cultural heritage. Whetever profession we are in, we have to appreciate dokar driver as a profession and a business”, he said.
