Changes in the revolutionary countryside of Khánh Thiện

Việt Nam•18/08/2023

Visiting the revolutionary homeland of Khanh Thien commune (Yen Khanh district) in mid-August, we felt the clear changes taking place here with a synchronized, clean, and beautiful transportation infrastructure; increasingly developed trade and services; and an improved spiritual life for the people. This development is an encouragement for Khanh Thien to continue to uphold its revolutionary traditions, unite, strive to build an increasingly prosperous and beautiful homeland.

Khanh Thien is not only a place with a long-standing cultural tradition but also a rich revolutionary tradition with many historical milestones; in 2002, the commune was recognized as a "Heroic Commune of the People's Armed Forces". The history of the Khanh Thien Commune Party Committee records: During the period of the Indochinese Democratic Front (1936-1939), in harmony with the nationwide struggle for people's livelihoods and democracy, the people of Khanh Thien enthusiastically rose up to "fight to reclaim land from neighboring villages and distribute it to the people," as in Hieu Thien and Bong Hai hamlets.

In 1938, a struggle against French colonialism and its collaborators over tax collection at the Green Market broke out. This struggle was victorious, boosting the people's confidence and encouraging other movements to advance, such as the movement to promote the national script and the opposition to the Japanese fascists' policy of uprooting rice and planting jute.

In late 1944 and early 1945, the anti-Japanese national liberation movement intensified. A number of political prisoners under house arrest in Yen Khanh (including the children of Khanh Thien) secretly gathered to build a patriotic movement, actively propagating and raising patriotic awareness among the people.

In April 1945, a number of patriotic young people in Hieu Thien secretly campaigned to gain legitimate leadership within the "youth union," directing youth activities towards preparing for an uprising to seize power. This tradition of patriotism and unwavering determination was nurtured and rekindled in subsequent generations.

Leading us to visit Thon Ba Temple, the birthplace of the first Party cell in Khanh Thien, and the predecessor of the Khanh Thien Commune Party Committee, Mr. Hoang Van Tuan, a member of the Veterans Association and Chairman of the Khanh Thien Commune Education Promotion Association, who is celebrating his 50th anniversary as a Party member, said: On September 11, 1947, the first Party cell in Khanh Thien was established with 4 members. They led the people through all difficulties and challenges, bravely coordinating closely with the army to fight the enemy and protect their homeland. From then on, revolutionary cadres used Thon Ba Temple as a cradle to develop their forces, build organizations, and as a meeting place to lead the people in resistance against the enemy.

To instill patriotic traditions and national pride, every year on major national anniversaries, the Veterans Association of Khanh Thien commune organizes gatherings to pass on the fighting spirit of the army and people of Khanh Thien commune in the resistance wars against foreign invaders to the younger generation. This helps young people appreciate the achievements of the revolution and strive to contribute to building their homeland and country.

Throughout the wars to defend the Fatherland, Khanh Thien commune has 145 martyrs, 12 Heroic Vietnamese Mothers, 204 wounded and sick soldiers; nearly 400 veterans… Continuing the traditions of their ancestors, in the process of construction and development, the Party Committee, government and people of Khanh Thien have always united and strived to build an increasingly prosperous and beautiful homeland. Especially in the process of implementing the national goal of building new rural areas, Khanh Thien has always been one of the leading units in the province.

Changes in the revolutionary countryside of Khánh Thiện — In my hometown of Khánh Thiện today.

Comrade Pham Hong Quang, Chairman of the People's Committee of Khanh Thien commune, said: In 2013, Khanh Thien achieved the New Rural Area (NRA) status, and in 2019, Khanh Thien was recognized by the province as a model NRA commune. Since then, Khanh Thien has always focused on improving the material and spiritual lives of its people; investing in upgrading roads and cultural centers; improving the environmental landscape, and continuing to improve the criteria for a model NRA.

To create breakthroughs in economic development and improve people's lives, the commune Party Committee annually issues specialized resolutions on socio-economic development. In agricultural production development, the commune focuses on directing the application of scientific and technological advancements; expanding the area of high-quality organic rice; and renovating ponds to develop high-economic-value livestock, such as snail farming, helping people gradually increase their income. In addition, the commune continues to focus on expanding and developing small-scale industries and services, especially the culinary and ornamental plant industries.

Currently, the commune is actively developing a rural tourism development plan linked to the construction of new rural areas for the period 2023-2030, with a vision to 2040, based on the local strengths of traditional craft villages, culinary arts, and spiritual culture. This promises to create a new space for the residential area and improve the lives and incomes of the people.

Recently, the People's Committee of Khanh Thien commune selected two local culinary products to propose to the competent authorities for consideration and recognition as OCOP (One Commune One Product) products, thereby contributing to enhancing the stature and position of Khanh Thien. By promoting the diversification of local industries, the lives of the people in the commune have improved significantly.

To date, the average income of the commune has reached 71 million VND/person/year. Along with that, Khanh Thien also focuses on building school infrastructure, improving the quality of education; paying attention to healthcare for the people; promoting administrative procedure reform... At the same time, it actively socializes assistance for disadvantaged people, contributing to poverty reduction.

Proud of the changes in her hometown, Mrs. Pham Thi Hoa (Phu Hau village) excitedly said: "Khanh Thien has changed so much compared to previous years. The most noticeable changes are the smooth, paved roads and the long rows of green trees and flowers, overflowing with color, making the rural landscape even fresher and more vibrant."

Since the construction of such clean and beautiful roads, the elderly have been more inclined to walk, cycle, and exercise; teenagers enjoy taking photos and playing... In addition, electricity infrastructure, schools, and health stations serving the people's lives have also developed increasingly. Many houses have been newly built, renovated, or re-planned to be spacious, clean, and beautiful... We are overjoyed to see our homeland as it is today, and we will continue to strive to preserve and develop it further. The achievements we have made today are the foundation for the Party Committee, the government, and the people of Khanh Thien to continue writing the proud history of our homeland in the era of renewal.

Text and photos: An Nghia

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