Learning from life, times of President Kaysone Phomvihane

Commemorating the 97th anniversary of the birth ofPresident Kaysone Phomvihane (1920-1992).
Though he passed away more than two decades ago, President Kaysone Phomvihane’s drive for revolutionary outcomes and resolute decency still burns bright as an example for multiple generations of Lao people today.
The country celebrates his birth anniversary every year on December 13 and 2017 is the 97th anniversary
It is a time when Lao people around the country together commemorate the life-long work of President Kaysone for the benefit of our country.
This devotion inspired patriots of all ethnicities to mark the 42nd anniversary of the Lao National Day on December 2 this year.
From his youth through to his role in the revolution and beyond, President Kaysone has become an example from whom government officials, Party members and people of all walks of life can learn and try to emulate – a true national hero.

President Kaysone Phomvihane visits soldiers during the struggle for national liberation. (File Photo)

President Kaysone was born on December 13, 1920. He participated in revolutionary activities from a young age, and because of his early responsibilities he had little difficulty in stepping up to become the highest leader of the Party and the government.
President Kaysone was the first son of Mr Louan and Mrs Dok Phomvihane, and had two younger sisters, Ms Savanthong and Ms Kongmany.
His father was a civil servant and his mother a farmer. His family lived in Naxeng village of Khanthabouly District in Savannakhet province.
According to a document from the Party Central Committee for Propaganda and Training Board, when he was young, President Kaysone was educated with love and tender care by his parents. He was taught to have discipline and a hunger for learning.
President Kaysone was diligent, careful and had a high sense of responsibility. He used to complain about the wasting of time, but he never regretted the labour of his work.
He lived a simple life, criticising luxury items, people who showed off their wealth, and officials seemingly more concerned with acquiring riches for their own family or themselves than helping the nation.
At the age of seven, his father, Mr Louan, sent the young Kaysone to attend the Lao language Xayaphoum primary school but he also studied French in Thahae village of Savannakhet province.
He focused attentively on his lessons, was diligent in reading, respected his teachers, loved his friends, and, importantly, achieved high grades.
After graduating from the French language primary school in his hometown, in 1934 he enrolled in the Protectorate College in Hanoi, Vietnam, which is now called Chou Van An School.
He went at a time when the Vietnamese youth were rebelling against French colonialism.
A few days before he left for Vietnam, President Kaysone’s father spent every night with him and advised him to attentively study for his own future, for his family and to become an advantaged individual, using his talent and drive for the benefit of society.
From 1936 to 1939, President Kaysone joined the revolutionary movement in the Vietnam’s capital Hanoi, seeking rights, freedom and democracy. He loved studying and liked to learn about new things.
In particular, he liked to read Le Travail (Labour) newspaper, which was the voice of the Indochinese Communist Party. In addition, he learnt Vietnamese and Chinese boxing and judo for self-defence.
In 1942, he entered medical school but later on changed direction and took up law, learning about systems of governance at the Law University in Hanoi. He was one of the best students in his class and demonstrated a great talent in the field.
In 1944, the United Front of Vietminh was established and, at the age of 24, Kaysone became a member of the Vietnamese Youth Association for National Liberation, where he developed his socialist ideology.
After World War II, he returned to his hometown to start a revolutionary campaign.
On August 23, 1945, he joined the movement to seize administrative power from Japanese occupying forces in Savannakhet province.
From March to December, 1946, he worked on a committee for communication between Laos and Vietnam. 
In 1947 and 1948, President Kaysone really began living the life of a young revolutionary.
He studied various documents written by Vietnamese revolutionary leaders, such as President Ho Chi Minh.
He also read books about Marxist-Leninist ideology, reports and other revolutionary theories.
On July 28, 1949, he was accepted as a member of the Communist Party of Indochina.
In March 22, 1955, with the support of the Communist Party of Indochina, the Lao People’s Party was formed in Nameo village of Viengxay District in Huaphan province and Kaysone was elected Secretary-General.
From the birth of the Party, President Kaysone played a major role in forcing a fighting strategy to defeat invading imperialists, leading to the liberation of the nation without bloodshed in 1975.
Following liberation, when not undertaking his duties, President  Kaysone spent most of his free time reading books, especially about the construction of socialism.
He came to realise that the country also required an economic renovation.
In 1986, he initiated a renovation policy and helped open up the country’s doors to the world.
He died on November 21, 1992, while his policy was being implemented.
President Kaysone’s unsurpassed contributions are remembered fondly to this day both in Laos and abroad.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update December 12, 2017 )