Old farmer sings to express solidarity with Communist Party

By Masood Sattar Khan in Beijing
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Surrounded with sky-touching mountains, an aged farmer living in newly constructed homes for old people sang marshal songs with his melody voice saying Aiyalei. Here comes the sun shining as red ball and the sunlight turning the soil warmer.

The third plenary session of the 18th CPC Central Committee brought hope for the revitalization and development of Gannan Soviet area with blowing spring breeze. People admired of President Xi work to carry forward Chinese dream. 

These were the sentiments of a 72-year old Lin Shangliu while singing folk songs to express his sentiments and joy for the ruling party led by Chairman Xi, while I met him. He lives at the newly constructed Glorious Nursing Home for Elders in Chayuan Township. 

Lin lived in Datang Group, Kongmu Village, Chayuan Township, where his family was enjoying welfare facilities offered by the government in five ways; food, clothing, medical care, housing and burial expenses. The previous 200 year-old former house lacked all amenities. He and his wife didn’t have any child but lived with 101 year-old mother. 

In 2008, the three persons moved to the nursing home depending on government funds. Now monthly, each of them can get 30 Yuan of living allowance and 55 Yuan of new rural social insurance. In addition, the old mother gets 300 Yuan of old age benefits and 130 Yuan of martyr’s children allowance every month. Lin also does odd jobs like picking up fresh tea leaves from fields to earn some money.

“Life here is much better than before. We don’t need to worry about livelihood, the living rooms are spacious and bright, the furniture and TV are also available, the food and dishes here are sumptuous. Even though when I am in bed, I remember the kindness of the CPC party and President Xi,” Lin roared. 

The Glorious Nursing Home for Elders was set up in August 1976, covers an area of 3,333 square meters with gross area of 1,542 square meters. Before 2012, there were only 37 old people living here because the space was not enough to meet the facilities such as dining room, washing room, activity and health care centre. 

In April 2012, an expansion project was launched with the objective of expanding living conditions of glorious home. It was first phase of the expansion project launched as part of implementation of poverty alleviation and development of Chayuan Township. 

The government spent 3.8 million yuan in total and earmarked another area of 2000 square meters to build 3 large size complexes, in which dormitories, kitchens, dining rooms, entertainment halls, fitness centers and other facilities are included. After expansion, the nursing home will have 70 housing rooms to accommodate further 95 elderly peoples. 

The project, which people all around the township highly praised, has greatly improved the living conditions for the elderly and now they do not have fear how to spend their life after retirement. Furthermore, it plays an exceptional role in the social life of these. 

Left behind children in Ming’en New Village 

“My dear, where are you contacting me on line?” 

“Mum, I’m at the remote video-chat-room now. How are you and father? ” 

“We are all fine! How are you all in home? How is your grandmother?” 

“Well, she is OK. She does all of the housework and I also learn to do a little.” 

“Great! You should help her and take care of younger brother. And how’s your study? Have you progressed?” 

These were the conversation between 14 year-old Deng Luping a Grade 6 student while chatting with her parents at the remote video-chat room set up for the those children who were working out of their villages for earning livelihood. 

Deng’s parents working in one of the Chinese industrial hub, the Guangdong Province. There were quite a few other small children, busy chatting on video camera at the remote video-chat-room in Ming’en New Village.

The local government officials collect all the information of parents and children having established information data. Through the communication platform, the parents can chat with their children once a week on Saturday or Sunday for unlimited time. Most of the parents ask children about their studies and life at hometown as they cultivate children a habit for positive view and also check their homework and examinations preparations, just like face to face.