The military and the people work together.

(Baonghean) - In response to the emulation movement "Armed Forces joining hands to build new rural areas," in recent times, many military units in the province have implemented practical and effective methods, contributing together with the local authorities and people to changing the face of rural areas.

Years ago, the lives of more than 30 households in the Bồi field area of ​​Hamlet 2, Quỳnh Diện commune (Quỳnh Lưu district) were very difficult due to their isolation in a low-lying area with narrow, muddy roads. For nearly two months now, this situation has been rectified, with over 100 meters of the main road in the area being paved with concrete and a new 200-meter-long, 6-meter-wide road being opened. This achievement is largely thanks to the efforts of the officers, soldiers, and militia of the District Military Command and the Quỳnh Diện Commune Military Command.

Mr. Tran Van Nhan, a resident of the Boi rice field area, shared: “Previously, seeing our children having to go to school on a muddy road, passing by a foul-smelling garbage dump, we felt very sorry for them, but because life was difficult, we were powerless to do anything. Thanks to the help of the soldiers and militia, the people now have a new, more convenient road. We are very grateful to them.” Comrade Nguyen Viet Hung, Secretary of the Party Committee of Quynh Dien commune, said: “Not only actively participating in road construction for the new rural development, the militia and self-defense soldiers of the commune also took the lead in ensuring security and order, and in rescue efforts during the rainy season and floods, especially during the floods in October 2013, creating a positive impression on the people of the commune.”

Officers and soldiers from Quynh Luu district are helping people in Quynh Dien commune build rural roads.

In March, the Military Command of Quynh Luu District, in coordination with Quynh Minh Commune, mobilized all commune militia and youth union forces to participate in the construction of irrigation and drainage systems in the Ruc rice fields. During this campaign, more than 100 officers and soldiers from the District Military Command and the Quynh Minh Commune militia, in collaboration with the Youth Union and Women's Association, renovated 300 meters of rural road and dredged over 3 kilometers of irrigation canals. Ms. Le Thi Minh, a militia member from Quynh Minh Commune, shared: “Participating in labor activities in accordance with the new rural development policy, I am very happy to contribute my efforts to improving production facilities and raising the living standards of the people in the commune.” Lieutenant Nguyen Ba Quynh, a logistics soldier from the Quynh Luu District Military Command, added: “Young soldiers like us are very proud and ready to dedicate our youthful energy to working with the Party Committee, government, and people to build social welfare projects that benefit the people.” Helping the people through practical actions is the best way to respond to the "Armed Forces Joining Hands to Build New Rural Areas" movement. The specific and practical actions of the district's armed forces have helped the locality accelerate the progress of building new rural areas (to date, Quynh Minh commune has completed 14 out of 19 criteria), thereby contributing to strengthening the bond between the military and the people.

Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Ha – Commander of the Military Command of Quynh Luu District, said: “To ensure the emulation movement “Armed Forces Joining Hands to Build New Rural Areas” is implemented synchronously, widely, and effectively, immediately after receiving the plan from the 4th Military Region Command and guidance from the Political Department of the Military Region, the Military Command of Quynh Luu District has thoroughly disseminated and directed the development of a plan and organized the launch in agencies, units, and grassroots levels, widely disseminating information to a large number of officers, soldiers, militia, and reserve forces. In particular, emphasis has been placed on promoting education and understanding of the Party and State's policies on the purpose, meaning, and content of building new rural areas. In the past period, the Military Command of the district has mobilized 500 officers, soldiers, and militia members throughout the district, participating in thousands of man-days of work, propagating and mobilizing the people in land clearance, land consolidation, rural road construction, and irrigation canal construction.” and activities expressing gratitude, visiting and giving gifts to families entitled to preferential policies and families in difficult circumstances…

In Quy Hop district, the District Military Command, in coordination with district agencies, local Party committees, authorities, and mass organizations, continues to conduct field surveys, identify areas, and develop coordinated implementation plans. They determine the content of the work, focusing on key areas and specific methods suitable to the conditions and capabilities of the unit and locality, especially in key defense and security communes and disadvantaged communes, to provide support. Besides contributing manpower, the District Military Command also mobilizes officers and soldiers to contribute cash to support local areas in building rural infrastructure. From the beginning of 2014 to the present, the armed forces in the district have contributed to the construction of the Choong Temple Historical and Cultural Relic in Chau Ly commune; and built a 220-meter-long road section with over 2000 cubic meters of concrete and nearly 100 tons of cement in Chau Quang commune. In 2014, the District Military Command strived for each officer and soldier of the armed forces to contribute 3-5 man-days per year to work alongside the people of the district to implement the new rural development program and achieve its goals as soon as possible.

Responding to the "Armed Forces Joining Hands to Build New Rural Areas" movement, units under Military Region 4 in the province have actively assisted local people, notably Regiment 335 stationed in Tuong Son commune (Anh Son district). Over two years (2012 and 2013), the regiment's officers and soldiers helped Tuong Son commune open more than 1 km of rural roads in hamlets 2 and 5, and construct 2.5 km of irrigation canals in hamlet 10. Mr. Nguyen Dinh Binh, Secretary of the Party Branch of hamlet 10, said: "Our hamlet 10 has 1,125 people, 243 households, with Catholics accounting for nearly 90%. During the implementation of the new rural development program, the hamlet received enthusiastic assistance from the officers and soldiers of Regiment 335."

The irrigation system built with the help of the regiment's officers and soldiers enables the people to proactively manage irrigation, especially during the flood season, accelerating land consolidation and intensive cultivation to increase the number of crops (corn, potatoes, etc.). In addition, officers and soldiers actively participate in environmental sanitation, educate the people on hygienic living practices, assist with harvests, and engage in cultural and sports activities.” Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Minh Phuong – Deputy Head of Political Affairs of Regiment 335, stated: “We consider the task of building new rural areas as one of the unit's main political tasks to create political, economic, and social stability in the area where we are stationed, contributing to strengthening the bond between the military and the people.” Monthly and quarterly, the unit coordinates with local Party committees and authorities to sign specific work agreements, exchange experiences, and advise localities on many good measures and methods. From there, specific tasks are assigned to agencies and units for each project and each task in the hamlets and villages."

It can be said that the greatest success of the "Armed Forces Joining Hands to Build New Rural Areas" movement is that it has made cadres, soldiers, and the people understand the purpose and significance of building new rural areas within the framework of national defense, creating unity among cadres and soldiers and consensus among the people in the process of implementation. At the same time, it has harnessed the strength of the entire political system and the people, along with the military, to participate in building rural infrastructure; consolidating the grassroots political system, building cultural life, and actively promoting emulation movements for socio-economic development, poverty alleviation, and hunger reduction.

Text and photos:Minh Quan