The people of Karakalpak have a saying: "Give us work when we are young, give us the state when we are old." This quote seems to fully express the life path of Raushan Momo Samarkanova, a veteran of the labor front, who is celebrating her 96th birthday today. Because his childhood coincided with the terrible years of the Second World War. He overcame all difficulties with the fortitude of an adult. Now she is a beloved grandmother of 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and she is approaching old age.

Onakhan was born in 1930 in the 5th farm of the collective farm "Kyzil dehkan" of Kungirot district. Kyrginbarot was in primary school when the war started. Most of the men in Ovul were mobilized to the front. His father, Samarkan Naurizov, was drafted into the labor front battalion in 1942 due to his poor health and had to work in the tank factory and mines in the distant city of Chelyabinsk. In the family, Raushan stays with Ayisi and his brother Jaqsilik. 

- I still remember, we used to go to school in the morning. "After a couple of hours of classes, all students were involved in agricultural work," he said. - The adults explained to us that only if we achieve victory, peaceful life will be restored, our fathers will return, we can eat enough food, and study easily. I think that these words gave the children endurance and strength. 

In those years, the river often overflowed. At that time, schoolchildren also helped to block the water. We little ones lined up in a row, they put a shovelful of soil on the cloth in our hands (we couldn't lift more than that), and we had to take it to the top of the dam. This painstaking work continued until the water barrier was ready.

In 1943, the river overflowed and some areas of our district, including our farm, were flooded. The population moved to another place. 

There was neither opportunity nor time to build a house there. That's why we had to live in the basement for 2 years. I still remember when we went to bed at night when we saw a snake or a scorpion on the ceiling of the basement and we cried in our bed because we were afraid. After the war ended and our father returned, we moved into the house he built.

- At that time, there was a progressive workers' movement. Me too, thanks to my hard work 

I took a place among them when I was 14-15 years old. They gave me a certificate of honor for exceeding the given norm, and rewarded me with cloth and food products. When I think back to those days, I wonder how we managed to do so much at such a young age. My wish: never to return such difficult and troublesome days. Don't let your eyes touch our peaceful and prosperous days, the prosperity of our country, says Momo Raushan. 

In 1947, she married Kudaybergen Mominov, an employee of the internal affairs body. Onakhan's life partner 

In 1962-1983, he served as the deputy head of the fire safety department, retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel, and died in 2002. 

Together, they raise three children. Daughters Roza and Jaqsibiyke are active in various fields of our society and are now retired. His son Sabit Mominov continued his father's path, served in the internal affairs bodies in 1987-2007 and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. 


Azamat PIRNIYAZOV,

our own reporter.

Republic of Karakalpakstan.