I Gusti Ketut Pudja was an Indonesian politician and national hero, who served as the first governor of Lesser Sunda from 1945 until 1946. He was a member of the Investigating Agency for Preparatory Work for Indonesian Independence (BPUPK). He was also present at Admiral Tadashi Maeda's house, during the preparation for the Proclamation of Indonesian Independence on 17 August 1945. Making him the only Balinese to be present during the proclamation.

National Hero of Indonesia is the highest-level title awarded in Indonesia. It is posthumously given by the Government of Indonesia for actions which are deemed to be heroic, defined as "actual deeds which can be remembered and exemplified for all time by other citizens" or "extraordinary service furthering the interests of the state and people". The Ministry of Social Affairs gives seven criteria which an individual must fulfill, as follows:Have been an Indonesian citizen who is deceased and, during his or her lifetime, led an armed struggle or produced a concept or product useful to the state; Have continued the struggle throughout his or her life and performed above and beyond the call of duty; Have had a wide-reaching impact through his or her actions; Have shown a high degree of nationalism; Have been of good moral standing and respectable character; Never surrendered to his or her enemies; and Never committed an act which taints his or her legacy.