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One day I heard a high ranking army general from Imperial Army Inspectorate had come to Semnan and resided in Governorship building. It seemed that he had come for some immoral pleasure party in Damghan and then disposing some affairs in Semnan in three days before returning to capital.
I welcomed this chance and went to governorship building to visit him. I also asked Kheir Abad people to go there separately and express their need for tap water. They stopped me when entering the building. I said: “I am soldier of Construction and Development Corps and not form locals. Finally I could enter by forcing myself to them. I entered the General’s room when he let me it. I saluted and said: “Ahmad Ahmad from Kheir Abad Construction and Development Corps.” He said: “Ok. Sit down.” I sat and after some hesitation began talking about the hardships of Kheir Abad. I explained about the problems of tap water and the impediments in front of it. He ordered to bring the Kheir Abad file for him. Since its beginning it had become big and thick file. There was all my correspondence filed in order. The general looked at the file page by page and asked some questions every now and then and I would answer. I told him at last: “General! Here nothing can be done except by force!” He said: “I have the force.”
Then he took out a letter from his bag with the Imperial Inspectorate sign on top and showed it to me. It was saying that he had full authority for inspecting, investigating and conduct any needed attempt in Damghan and Semnan districts. He said: “I will give tap water to Kheir Abad. But what should I do. Tell me.” I said: “Sir! Please just come to railway station about 1 km out of the town of Semnan and from there it is only 2km to Kheir Abad village. Railway has tap water right now and would not cost a lot if you order them to extend the pipe to Kheir Abad. Just order the mayor to give the permission for this pipe extension.”
The general ordered the governor, mayor and city council members to come the same day. Then we picked up an estate car and went toward railway station. It was interesting that when we were about to move, the governor wanted to separate me from the group. But the General said: “No; he is a soldier of Construction and Development Corps and representative of the Shah, just like me. He should come with me.”
We turned around the Railroad Square. General saw somebody watering the trees in front of the station. He became upset and said: “Why you are watering the trees while the people do not have drinking water?!” Then we went toward Kheir Abad. General could see the awful conditions that people had closely.
When we returned back to governorship building, instantly a session was held there with the presence of governor, mayor and city council members. I also participated. Good transactions were compiled and written which would include that Construction and Development Administration in the governorship building was responsible to build the pipelines for tap water to Kheir Abad with the cooperation of other governmental bodies. It was mentioned that 80% of the costs had to be paid by Construction and Development Administration and the rest by villagers. When all were signing the paper, I heard one of Vafa Shari’atis said: “It’s not a problem. We’ll sign it but tomorrow when the General leaves, the entire story would be forgotten. Who would give them water?” By hearing it, I told the General: “I do not think so.” The General shouted angrily: “I am signing it. Who the hell are they to impede it!?” Then the audience and particularly the Vafa Shari’atis became red to their ears.
Then the general wrote his phone number on a paper and told me: “Where ever you encountered a problem and if you saw that these people are impeding the matter just call me. I will come at once.”
The news reached the village sooner than us. The people were so happy. It was interesting that the people of Rokn Abad were also intrigued and hopeful. They also went to the General and told him that their village was only about one kilometer far from Kheir Abad and they had also asked for tap water. The General had written for them: “Give them tap water either.”
Meanwhile, beside the matter of tap water I had followed other things too. With the help of villagers we could build a good school there. I talked to the villagers and we decided to ask the General to inaugurate the school before his leave in order to show the appreciation of people for his help in building water pipelines for the village and make him more determined in doing this project. I coordinated the affairs in the village and asked the butcher to sacrifice a lamb. I pretended to be ill in order not to take part in this ceremony. The General came to the village and people appreciated him in my absence.
The next day I had to begin collecting money from the villagers to fulfill their share in expenses. However, it was impossible. They had no money to share. I calculated and found out that each family had to pay 100 Tomans. I did not know how to solve this problem. After long range of thinking I decided to share the matter with people sincerely. I told them: “There is no other way. We have to solve it.” They went and tried so hard to collect that money.
Some sold their animals. Some borrowed money. However, some of them could do nothing. They suggested working for the project instead of their share of money. I saw how hard they tried to do this job. It was a bit strange and amusing to me. I was so warm hearted to continue my attempts.
When the money was gathered, Construction and Development Administration began constructing the water pipeline. I work with the villagers shoulder to shoulder. I did not even go home in weekends. The pipeline was finished after two and half months of hard work.
When the life-giving stream of water entered Kheir Abad, the reaction of people there was so wonderful. They sacrificed some lambs, dined people, and …

 

The Excellent Corps Soldier
When water reached to Kheir Abad, the life there changed totally and found a new status. The local daily of Semnan published a comprehensive report about the water pipeline construction project in Kheir Abad and noted to my attempts as well.
The life conditions for me had changed. I was respected by all people from the children to the elders. Different groups in Semnan appreciated me as a Corps Soldier. However, for me the most important thing for me was the happiness that I felt from the appreciation of Kheir Abad people. Something which was so important to was the fact that the villagers had believed that if they become united they could do what they want. This belief was in a way that later they could achieve great successes in their village’s construction. I was also a bit free to follow my political activities.
One day the governor called me to his office and congratulated me the success in constructing the pipeline for Kheir Abad and said: “Soldier Ahmad! You have recognized as ‘Excellent Crops Soldier’.” I knew his reports about my works there had played the main role in this recognition. I also thanked him for his helps. I was so happy; because this matter would facilitate my entrance in university without taking part in entrance exam.
However, later it became clear that my hopefulness and being happy of being chosen for that title was useless. SAVAK impeded me from going to university.
The important thing for me was people’s self-belief and God’s satisfaction. Individually I was satisfied with my military service; something that rarely happens for ordinary people.
I should admit these two years of my life shows part of the tyranny that was happening to a nation with highly different casts. It also shows that the suppressed layers could achieve its share of happiness by high determination and remove the tyranny from their village. Although the General from the Imperial Inspectorate had a positive role, but as a matter of fact this move was definitely a prestigious reforming action for the regime. The regime made a big deal of propaganda much more than what it had done and trying to achieve apparent popularity. I spent many happy and sad days with that people there in Kheir Abad and finally after some attempts like making school, public bath, water pipeline, and repairing the village’s mosque, despite all the love and affection that I had found among those nice and kind people, I left there in October 1970 when my military service was over.