The "extended arm" of the Party and State in the great wilderness...

With the attention of the Party and State, the majestic Central Highlands is transforming strongly on the journey of building new rural areas and socio-economic development.

In that transition, it is impossible not to mention the important role of the village elders and prestigious people - those who are always dedicated, exemplary, and are the bridge between the Party, the government and the people. With their experience and prestige, the village elders and prestigious people have promoted their core role in propagating and mobilizing the people to develop the socio-economy; supporting the Party committees and the government to concretize the task of building a strong Party and grassroots political system.

Pioneer to "speak to the people"

Having held many leadership positions in the Party and government from the province to the commune, after his retirement, Mr. A Bok (Xe Dang ethnic group, To D'ra branch) continued to be elected as a village elder, a prestigious person in Kon Nang Treang village, Dak Ui commune, Quang Ngai province. Despite his old age, he always participated in Party cell activities, contributed appropriate and responsible opinions, and was knowledgeable about reality; he was accepted by the Party cell committee and highly appreciated by veteran Party members.

Gia A Bok believes that thanks to the attention of the Party and the State, the lives of ethnic minorities in Dak Ui commune in particular and the Central Highlands in general have changed positively. Therefore, he always sees clearly the responsibility in propaganda work so that people understand and appreciate the achievements of the country's development. "Our mountainous region now has electricity, roads, schools, stations, life is more complete and prosperous," he shared emotionally, his eyes shining with pride at the changes in his homeland.

In Dak Tieng K'Lah village, Dak Ha commune (Quang Ngai), village elder A Nhen (born in 1956, Ba Na ethnic group, Rongao branch) is loved by officials and people for his persistent contributions to the community. Over the years, he has not only communicated policies and guidelines but also pioneered in renovating mixed gardens, raising livestock with barns, and building production models suitable to the terrain and customs.

Having been a member of the first generation of cadres of Dak La commune (old) in the 1980s, after retiring, he continued to apply his knowledge and experience to propagate and mobilize people to change their thinking and develop their family economy. “The lives of ethnic minorities today are much more prosperous than before, thanks to the attention of the Party and the State. I used to be a cadre, knowing what is good and right, I have to do it first, remind my children and grandchildren to do it first, and then mobilize the villagers to do it too,” he shared.

Thanks to that exemplary spirit, many households have shifted from traditional farming to efficient production, escaping poverty sustainably. Also thanks to the dedication of village elders like A Bok and A Nhen, many effective production models have been replicated, improving people's lives.

Driving force for new rural construction

As a particularly difficult commune with more than 80% of the population being ethnic minorities, in recent years, Ngok Reo commune (Quang Ngai) has focused on effectively implementing policies to support village elders and prestigious people. Along with economic development and social security, the commune also coordinates to organize training, foster propaganda and mobilization skills, and build a team of village elders to become the core force to concretize the policies of the Party and the State, contributing to bringing the commune to new rural standards. In Kon Jong village, village elder A Lat, Xe Dang ethnic group, has become a symbol of exemplary behavior and responsibility.

Having held many positions in the local government, after retiring, he continued to be trusted by the villagers to be elected as a village elder, a prestigious person. Thanks to his persistent, flexible but determined propaganda, Mr. A Lat helped the villagers understand and strictly implement the policies and laws of the Party and the State. "If you want the people to listen, you must set an example first, with a spirit of steadfast goals and a firm stance. Village affairs must be discussed democratically and agreed upon before being implemented," said Mr. A Lat.

Kon Jong village has 91 households with more than 350 people from 8 ethnic groups, of which more than 80% are ethnic minorities. With their roles and responsibilities, Elder A Lat and the Party cell and village management board actively propagate and mobilize people to effectively implement the Party and State's support policies on economic development and sustainable poverty reduction. Up to now, the average income in the village has reached more than 47 million VND/person/year.

The people of Kon Jong village actively participate in the movement to build a new cultural life, maintain political security and social order and safety in the locality, contributing to building Kon Jong into a typical new rural village in the ethnic minority area.

Like old man A Lat, Mr. Dinh Y Sa Pa - a prestigious person in Kon Ron village, Ngok Reo commune, was also recognized for his role in propagating and mobilizing people to participate in building new rural areas. He shared: "To be elected as a prestigious person by the people, I and my family must be exemplary in economic activities such as renovating mixed gardens and raising livestock with barns. Every week and every month, I put aside my housework to join the villagers in building roads and landscapes. I do it first, and when the people see it, they agree to follow."

With the attention and promotion of the role of the village elders and prestigious people, Ngok Reo commune has made strong strides, becoming a bright spot in building new rural areas in the ethnic minority area in the western region of Quang Ngai province.

(To be continued)

Article and photos: Phuc Thang - Trong Nghia

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/canh-tay-noi-dai-cua-dang-va-nha-nuoc-noi-dai-ngan-tay-nguyen-389987.html