Distant summer 1964. The railway junction Canas was overcrowded. The music, the crowd of guys with suitcases and backpacks, pronounced parting speech and wishes. Organizers once again compare their lists of departing, giving presents, specially bought for ceremonial farewell.
By this way the Associated Professors, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Deputies Dean O Welding Faculty NTUU "KPI" Vasily Vasiliovich Syrovatka and Igor Vladimirovich Malinkin remembered that trip.
From Canas young people went to the Altai, Kazakhstan and Omsk region - to conquer the virgin lands. Long trip for everyone was not only victorious labor, but above all, a romantic call of the soul. Youth former Soviet republics enthusiastically responded to the call of "All to the virgin lands".
Vasily and Igor still at school were dreaming to explore the limitless spaces of Kazakhstan. Joining the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering KPI, where they successfully studied, the young men were among the first who in 1964 volunteered to go to the virgin lands. Each place was contested by 10 applicants. The winners were selected based on the results of training, personal qualities, ability to work in a team.
Finally - the destination station. The arrived were housed in the homes, though Kazakhs mainly lived in unpretentious buildings whose roofs were covered with a mixture of herbs, earth and tiles. The streets in the village were very wide, but not paved, cars and other vehicles raised clouds of dust. The locals were very grateful visitors that built them schools, houses, paved tracks.
Vasily worked in construction teams, which were based on virgin soil, for 10 years. He was Commissioner of the district, and then - local headquarters, 5 years as head of the Kiev virgin student group. "It was a wonderful time, which is nice to remember - he said. - Work was hard, regardless of the time, but the results - constructed objects - brought pleasure, the construction teams were proud of them. "V. Syrovatka says:
- Different situation happened. Road to Kazakhstan took almost a week, trains were overcrowded. Once I was told that one of our students has fallen off the train. The place itself is not found that night, and then the first gray hair appeared. Later it became clear the student was from another unit. It was bad luck for another commander.
In the field, students are assigned to teams (communes). In communes earned money shared equally. Spirit of perseverance and competition captured the youth, even those who first dreamed of earnings, poured into the overall building rhythm. It is diffucult to put into words what the romance, beauty surrounded us! Although, to be honest, there were days when we did not notice the magnificent nature, did not feel the taste of food, drinking hastily, - tight schedule demanded timely delivery of objects, in spite of the state of health, weather conditions and opportunities of technology and suppliers. We learned not only professional (construction) skills, but also humanity, collectivism, and others. The students even came up with the slogan: "We are building a new ground, virgin soil builds us." I, as a commander, worked on a par with others and learned the things I did not know. At first, the erected walls were humpback and piles were installed the wrong way, but in a few days, everyone got the knack and skills. In the evening we relaxed, sometimes arranged lectures or concerts for local residents, had new acquaintances, new meetings. Many of my friends were married there, acquainted precisely in the construction team, there were all in full view and immediately see who is worth what. By the way, these relationships were surprisingly strong. Sometimes with tears in my eyes I think of what the young and zealous we were, what wonderful things were happening.
Igor Vladimirovich Malinkin also has a rich construction brigades' past. On virgin soil, he worked since 1962, but then became commander of the student team "Kaindinsky"; in 1964-1965 he was the commander Denisov District detachment.
Since 1965. - The commander of the Kiev City preparatory squad in 1968 - Commander construction brigade in Salekhard, and in 1969 - a member of construction brigade in Salekhard.
- A lot of interesting stories happened during our stay in the virgin lands! - Says Igor. - By the way, it was decided in each brigade to involve teenagers who need re-education. It happened that for several years returned to these groups - to ask for a job and we were happy to accept.
There were funny stories. I, as commander, was responsible for ensuring food security detachment. Once we went to the steppe to hunt. Young Kazakh volunteered to help us catch the bull. This proved to be quite simple - it was only necessary skill to throw a loop on the horn. But we could not load the bull on the car. Fortunately, the bull was blind in one eye. Therefore, pushing it with one hand, the animal eventually was pulled into the vehicle. But the end is not yet. Why in the cabin did not have enough room for all the brave hunters. And I, as responsible for the trophy, I had to go along with the bull in the back. Enemy would not wish such a neighborhood.
Recently Igor Malinkin and Vasily Syrovatra were awarded medals "50 Years of the virgin lands." After graduation, they have remained to work in the Kiev Polytechnic and believe that to the success in their life they obliged to the virgin land.