Memoirs of Akbar Hashemi – March 6, 1995

I had a busy day. At seven in the morning, we flew from Azadi Stadium toward Qom. Mohsen was also with us. Effat also came separately with her cousin. Mr. Seyyed Hashem Rasouli Mahallati, [representing the Supreme Leader], and Mr. Mohammad Reza Tavassoli Mahallati and the representatives of Qom and the Minister of Energy were also there.

At eight we landed at the Qom power plant. The official military ceremony for the entry and the mounted tour of the power plant sections and the unveiling of the plaque for the inauguration of the 230 [kilovolt] electricity connection line that has been drawn from Golpayegan to eastern Tehran was carried out to optimize energy use and secure the country's electricity situation.

We visited the exhibition of electricity industry parts. Then we participated in the ceremony for the start of concrete pouring for the power plant. This steam power plant uses the heat of the gas units that is currently wasted, and the power plant becomes a combined cycle. At the start of concrete pouring, the concrete mixer did not start; I poured several shovels of concrete.

From there, to participate in the Assembly of Experts session, we went to the Dar al-Shafa School. The session had started and Mr. Ali Meshkini, the head of the Assembly of Experts, was speaking. Out of respect for my entry, the speech was cut off and then he completed it. Mr. Meshkini is unwell and had not come to Tehran. The election of the presiding board was carried out. The same previous situation was repeated. I left the session to continue my programs and invited the Assembly of Experts to participate in the ceremony for the start of operation of the 15th of Khordad Dam; they accepted.

I went to the shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh (AS). A short and quick pilgrimage was performed. We went to the IRGC garrison and flew toward Mahallat. On the way, Messrs. Tavassoli and Rasouli gave good explanations about Mahallat. We landed beside the people's gathering. One of the children of the martyrs gave an interesting welcome, with this content: "Architect of the country's construction, continue building and do not let the blame of the ignorant find its way into your heart!" It was a huge gathering. Mr. Seyyed Mostafa Rouhani, the city's representative, gave a welcome speech, and they performed an interesting anthem in my name. I too gave encouraging remarks and made promises and praised the scientific and cultural and sports record of Mahallat.

We immediately flew toward the site of the 15th of Khordad Dam and arrived at noon. A group of the Assembly of Experts [representatives] had also arrived. We prayed the congregational prayer and had lunch and visited the various sections of the dam. The dam's lake, with a length of 12 kilometers, is interesting. So far 90 million cubic meters of water have been collected, and it has a capacity of up to 120 million cubic meters. The ceremony was carried out and the gates were opened. The beautiful scene of the water gushing had made everyone cheerful. In a tented hall, a gathering was formed.

Mr. Bijan Namdar Zangeneh, the Minister of Energy, and Mr. Mohammad Ali Shar'i, the representative of Qom, and Mr. Hassan Sanei, the head of the 15th of Khordad Foundation, spoke. Mr. Zangeneh gave a report on the country's overall dam construction program; it was interesting. About thirty dams are under construction and seventy dams are under study. Then I awarded the third-degree state medal to two of the engineers, Mr. Engineer Behzad Mohaqeq Horriati, the CEO of the Sabir Company, and Engineer Ali Asghar Jalalzadeh, the CEO of the Mahab Qods Company. Then I spoke to those present about the importance of the 15th of Khordad Dam and the importance of infrastructural work and the merit of the people of Qom for this service.

Then we went for the tree planting ceremony on the lake shore. The Construction Jihad is building a forest park with an area of one hundred and twenty hectares. I planted a tree and gave an interview. By car we went toward Delijan. On the way, at the Rahmatabad café-restaurant, I used the restroom and toilet to relieve myself. The café owner complained about the drivers who charge a fee for stopping.

In Delijan, the people had a good gathering. The Friday prayer leader and the people's representative gave welcome speeches and raised the demands. I too gave a short speech about the city's progress and the grounds for development and promised help and emphasized the axis of tourism and industry and mining, especially stone and lead.

We immediately flew toward Tehran and at sunset landed at Azadi Stadium. Effat also arrived half an hour later and was satisfied with her trip.