Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – December 23, 1995

We had breakfast with our sisters Fatima, Tahira and Siddiqa - who are here because of the death ceremony of her father. They were supposed to stay to mourn and receive those who come to condole. The brothers also sat in their homes. I went to my office. Before noon, I dealt with current affairs and spent the afternoon visiting the condolencers. [Mr. Stefan Todi], the new ambassador of Hungary, came to present the credentials; He also knows a little Persian.

Sample farmers came. Dr. [Isa] Kalantari, [Agriculture Minister], reported on the progress of agriculture in the first development plan so far, which is very commendable. The condition of farmers has improved due to the reform of product prices, under the influence of adjustment policies, and with the help of the government for guaranteed purchases and giving cheap loans, water control, and the creation of conversion industries, and the provision of seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and agricultural tools, a high priority has been given to agriculture. I gave certificates of appreciation to six sample farmers and [Mr. Jamal Pouramerollahi], director general of agriculture of Khorasan province, gave a third degree merit and management badge. I gave a detailed speech explaining the government's services and emphasized the use of the government's policy and support in the development of pressurized irrigation and the development of olive groves, olives, sugarcane and oilseeds.

In the evening, a large number of managers and personalities came to offer condolences. I came home at night. Relatives are gathered. We made an appointment to travel to Rafsanjan and Nouq for the night of Haft Hajiya Waldeh. Bibi Jamila, the wife of the deceased Kalantari, and the rest of their family members came; She is my cousin. He reminded me that our mother's father, Haj Mohammad Reza, was martyred by the evildoers and at that time, our mother was one year old and became an orphan. Mr. [Syed Mohammad Naqi] Shahrokhi, representative of the leadership in Bangladesh, also came and told about the great effects of my trip there.