(VOVworld) – Besides the military tasks required for national defense, border soldiers in Nam Dinh province have actively and effectively engaged in the local program of building new rural areas.

Border soldiers help people build roads (photo:baonamdinh.com.vn)

We visited Giao Thuy district to find soldiers of Ba Lat border station working with local people to build roads and inter-field canals. Private Nguyen Huu Van told us that building new rural areas is their responsibility. He feels a soldier’s duty is not just to fight but also to help people in small and big ways, especially in the important work of new rural development. Van says: “Besides our primary military duties, we help the people in their production work and they in turn contribute to national defense. We’re proud to be border soldiers with close economic relations with the people.

The Commander of Ba Lat border station has worked with the People’s Committees of Giao An, Giao Xuan, Giao Lac, and Giao Thien communes to meet the new rural criteria. His soldiers have been involved in ensuring social order and security, constructing irrigation works, and dredging canals. Nguyen Thi Sau is a villager in Giao Lac commune. “Ba Lat border soldiers have effectively cooperated with the local people. They helped us in anti-drug and social problem communication campaigns. They also contributed to our new rural development plan.”

Nguyen Van Khuyen, Secretary of Giao Xuan commune’s Party Committee, said new rural development achievements are largely due to the tireless efforts and countless workdays of the soldiers. “The border soldiers have cooperated in publicizing Party and Government policies on building new rural areas. 29% of the population here are Catholics who are also voluntarily getting involved in new rural development activities.”

With a soldier’s strong sense of responsibility and sympathy for the local people, the border soldiers have freely contributed thousands of man-days and donated 400,000 USD to build three water treatment centers for areas affected by salt intrusion. They have constructed two wharfs to shelter fishing boats during storms. Colonel Le Van Voi is Political Commissar of Nam Dinh province’s Border Command. “Since the beginning of the new rural area program, we have worked out specific tasks for the local units. We concentrate on ensuring security for production but are also getting involved in building roads, educational and cultural activities, and adopting new varieties of animals and plants to boost production.”

The border soldiers’ participation in building new rural areas has consolidated the fine relations between the armed forces and the people.