A layman who has been Party cell secretary for 26 years

These are sketches of Mr. Dinh Chi Canh - Party Cell Secretary of Yen Binh hamlet, Thanh Yen commune, Thanh Chuong district, a person who is considered by the people to be good at worldly affairs and fulfilling religious duties.

Born in 1950 in a Catholic family in Phuc Yen parish, Thanh Yen commune. Like other young men at that time, in 1970, Dinh Chi Canh joined the army and was attached to the Laos battlefield, and was admitted to the Party in the army. After the country was reunified, he was demobilized and returned to his hometown to get married and have children. Thanks to his diligence in business and active participation in grassroots activities, he was trusted and elected as Party cell secretary in the 90s of the last century.

With his straightforward and determined nature, tempered by his military training, he gradually asserted his pioneering role for community life. 5 years later, he was also elected by the people to hold the position of Village Chief of Yen Binh Village.

Mr. Dinh Chi Canh - Secretary of the Party Cell of Yen Binh Hamlet, Thanh Yen Commune (Thanh Chuong). Photo: Tran Dinh Ha

After 26 years as secretary and hamlet chief in a special unit, where over 70% of households are religious, Secretary Dinh Chi Canh said that he has an advantage because as a Catholic, he understands the doctrine as well as the aspirations of the people; at the same time, he has a close relationship with the parish priests and the Pastoral Council.

With the viewpoint that life and religion, the State and the church are all cared for and respected, he has guided people to religion and society in a smooth way. For example, if the Party cell meeting day falls on a holiday or there is a church event, the Party cell meeting schedule can be moved to the evening. Or, if there are any social policies or activities, the Pastoral Council can communicate and advise people at the church meeting. "Life and religion are all for the good life of the people," he shared.

Thanks to such a perspective on life and activities, along with the development of society, in recent years, the lives of all aspects of the people in Yen Binh hamlet, Thanh Yen commune have changed a lot. Currently, the rate of rich households accounts for 30%, well-off households 40%, and only 3.5% of poor households. On the basis of economic development, the Party cell has coordinated with the Pastoral Council to encourage people to implement the criteria for building new rural areas. Currently, all roads in the hamlet are concreted and asphalted. People have voluntarily donated land and property to widen the main road by 350m and the roads to the church are 6m wide. All other criteria have been responded to by the people, so up to now, Yen Binh is the first hamlet in Thanh Yen commune to complete the criteria for building new rural areas and was recognized as a Cultural Unit in 2016.

Mr. Dinh Chi Canh is also known as a pioneer in family economic development. Photo: Tran Dinh Ha

Mr. Dinh Chi Canh is also very proud that he has raised 5 children to adulthood, with stable jobs. His eldest son is also a party member active in the party cell. He is currently the Chairman of the Thanh Yen Commune Farmers' Association, and is also the person who has consulted and advised him so that the party cell can lead and implement many effective programs and models for the people.

Thanh Yen Commune Party Secretary (Thanh Chuong) Nguyen Van Vinh said: "Being a Party cell secretary is very difficult, being able to do it for 26 consecutive years like comrade Canh is even more difficult. Without dedication and the right way of doing things, it is impossible to do it. This is truly an excellent Party cell secretary."

These days, the cadres and people of Thanh Yen commune are enthusiastically competing to complete the criteria for new rural construction, striving to reach the finish line by the end of 2018. The people of Yen Binh hamlet are proud that their unit has risen to the top. In that joy, the people here also received the attention of some children far from home who supported 100 million VND to install a lighting system for all village roads. From now on, Yen Binh will be even more sparkling with electric lights, shining more "the Party's will, the people's hearts", including the efforts of a party member - a follower who has devoted nearly 30 years to life and religion.