The "core" of building a solid national defense posture based on the people's participation, starting from the grassroots.

(GLO) - In Gia Lai, village elders, village heads, and influential people are always the "key figures" contributing to maintaining peace in each village. They are also a crucial force in building a solid national defense posture at the grassroots level.

Hven is one of the Bahnar ethnic minority villages in Dak Po commune. Although life is still difficult, the people are always united, trusting in the leadership of the Party and the State; upholding revolutionary traditions and actively participating in local movements.

As the head of the Party branch and village chief, Mr. Dinh Glai (43 years old) has always been deeply aware that building a militia and reserve force is not only the responsibility of the government or military , but also the responsibility of every citizen.

Mr. Dinh Glai (fourth from the right) visits and presents gifts to young men who have been selected for military service. Photo: Anh Tuan

From then on, he consistently instilled this spirit in Party branch meetings and community activities. At the same time, with a thorough understanding of each household and each young person in the village, he, along with the village Party branch and the Commune Military Command, selected and recommended outstanding young people to join the militia and self-defense forces.

“Many young people are hesitant because of their economic circumstances. I personally go to their homes, encourage them, and call on organizations to help so that families can feel secure in letting their children participate in military service. Thanks to this, in the last three years, Hven village has had 7 young men volunteer for military service and 16 young men join the militia,” Mr. Glái shared.

In 1966, at the age of 20, Rơ Châm Tích (from Mook Đen village, Ia Dom commune) answered the sacred call of the Fatherland and enlisted in the 320B Division.

After leaving the military, Mr. Tich and his family cleared land and planted cashew and rubber trees to develop their economy. Thanks to their hard work, the family now has a stable cashew and rubber plantation, earning over 100 million VND per year.

Mr. Rơ Châm Tích (fourth from the left) and military officers are campaigning and encouraging the people to comply with the law. Photo: Anh Tuấn

Despite being over 70 years old, Mr. Rơ Châm Tích always stands side-by-side with border guards, actively mobilizing the people to participate in protecting territorial sovereignty and border security; protecting forests and maintaining security and order in villages.

When border-related issues arose, Mr. Tich, along with commune officials, went to each house, met with each resident, and spoke in the Jrai language, spreading awareness so that the people would not listen to bad influences but would work hard with their own hands and minds on their fields to escape poverty.

"To make people listen, we must understand the circumstances of each family, understand the personality of each person, know what they need, and skillfully encourage and guide their thinking. For many years now, no one in Mook Den village has attempted to cross the border illegally, no one has been influenced by bad influences, and life has been peaceful and prosperous," Mr. Tich said.

Ms. Vu Thi Thu, Deputy Head of the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda and Mass Mobilization Department, presents gifts from the Provincial Party Secretary to village elders, village heads, and exemplary influential figures. Photo: HP

Honor and pride are always linked to great responsibility. That is the mindset of Mr. Dinh Minh Tan (65 years old) - former Secretary of the An Lao District Party Committee. With his rich life experience, Mr. Tan regularly imparts his knowledge and wholeheartedly guides the younger generation to uphold the spirit of overcoming difficulties and striving for success, making practical contributions to society.

In particular, after retiring, using his prestige, he actively encouraged young people in An Vinh commune to enthusiastically enlist and fulfill their sacred duty to the Fatherland.

Mr. Tan expressed: "Before young men enlist, I always explain to them that, having been born and raised in peace, they must always remember the contributions of those who came before them. In the military environment, they must strive to study, cultivate themselves, and complete their assigned tasks well. They should not desert or run away because of difficulties and hardships, thus affecting the traditions of their homeland."

Village elders, village chiefs, and respected community leaders visit the traditional house of the provincial armed forces. Photo: HP

To enhance the role of influential figures among ethnic minorities in carrying out local defense and military tasks, agencies and units within the provincial armed forces are stepping up propaganda, mobilization, and providing necessary information so that village elders, village heads, and influential figures understand the Party and State's guidelines and policies, and local tasks; especially focusing on military and defense tasks.

At the same time, we advise the National Defense and Security Education Council to send influential figures from ethnic minority communities to participate in training courses on national defense and security knowledge.

Colonel Nguyen Xuan Son - Deputy Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command (3rd from the right) converses with an influential figure among the ethnic minority community. Photo: HP

Colonel Nguyen Xuan Son, Deputy Political Commissar of the Provincial Military Command, affirmed: In the context of the all-people national defense posture combined with the people's security posture, the role of village elders, village heads, and influential people in the community is increasingly being clearly demonstrated.

Not only are they knowledgeable about the customs, traditions, and lives of the local people, but village elders, heads of hamlets, and influential individuals also serve as important "bridges" between the Party, the State, the armed forces, and the people; contributing to maintaining political stability and social order at the grassroots level.

Elder Dinh Nhieu (Kte Lon A village, Phu Thien commune) presents a model of a communal house to the provincial armed forces. Photo: HP

Colonel Nguyen Xuan Son added: "In the coming time, the agencies and units of the provincial armed forces will closely coordinate with Party committees and authorities at all levels to continue to propagate, encourage, motivate, and promptly reward them so that they truly become a solid bridge between the Party's will and the people's hearts, and are the 'nucleus' in building a strong national defense posture."

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/hat-nhan-xay-dung-the-tran-quoc-phong-toan-dan-vung-chac-tu-co-so-post575108.html