Novopolotsk: a scientific, industrial, and cultural center for the young and creative
Novopolotsk is always young
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Hello, baby!
Annually, the Novopolotsk maternity hospital receives up to two thousand babies. Not only women from Novopolotsk, but also residents of Polotsk, Braslav, Miory, Rossony, Glubokoye, Dokshitsy, Postavy come to give birth… The maternity hospital serves half of the region, so the young specialist, obstetrician-gynecologist Tatyana Bunakova, is very proud of her work:— First, I did my internship here. Then I worked by assignment in Postavy. And now I have returned to the city of oil refiners, to the maternity hospital. A unique institution, an excellent base for gaining comprehensive experience!
Bunakova's colleagues recall how it all began. The idea to create a maternity hospital instead of an obstetrics department ten years ago was conceived by the former chairman of the city executive committee, Natalya Kochanova. As a result, a separate building was reconstructed – instead of 60 beds, there were 160. The renovated department of the city hospital was equipped with the latest technology, and excellent conditions were created for mothers and babies, and for work.personnel.
— We often get women with serious pathologies who cannot be promptly delivered to the regional clinic, — says Tatyana Bunakova. — This means you are always ready for unforeseen circumstances. Therefore, you have to improve your qualifications, look for unconventional solutions, and engage in self-education. It's good that there are experienced colleagues nearby who are ready to help and support. Now, more than 30 doctors work in the maternity hospital, and a base for internships for VSMU graduates has been opened. Do I regret choosing obstetrics? Of course not! I love children. During this time, I have delivered several hundred babies. It is very pleasant to be the first to see the little eyes and hear the cry of a newborn. My heart beats with the importance of the moment: a new life has come into the world! You can't imagine how uplifting it is! Each time, you feel the significance of your profession more acutely.
According to Tatyana, the maternity hospital has everything to care for even the tiniest patient and save their mother. There are intensive care units for mothers and infants, high-class incubators for premature babies, and artificial respiration equipment. Sometimes the on-duty obstetrician-gynecologist providing emergency care doesn't even have time to rest. On the busiest days, they deliver 13 — 15 babies! It was especially difficult during the exacerbation of the COVID-19 pandemic. District hospitals, in order not to mix patient flows, sent expectant mothers directly to Novopolotsk.
Is it difficult? Yes. But the young woman is optimistic. She says she has tied her life to Novopolotsk for a long time. And today, holding her tiny "godchildren" in her arms, she dreams of her own large family. May all her dreams come true…
"Eureka" Conquers the Cosmodrome
Vadim Lozhechnik is the commander of the best student construction team in the country. The students of Polotsk State University have been leaders for five years in a row. It is not surprising that the guys were entrusted with such an important facility as the Vostochny Cosmodrome in the Amur Region. According to Vadim, the guys have been working for three weeks already:— We are mainly involved in road construction in the new micro-district.not. More than ten youth construction brigades gathered in the cosmodrome. "Eureka" is the only one from Belarus. A very honorable and responsible mission.
The young man proudly says that the PSU construction brigade, named after Hero of the Soviet Union Viktor Eronko, has an impressive history. Founded in 1969, its members worked on the construction of the young city of Novopolotsk and went to the virgin lands. The glorious traditions of student life are continued by the current generation of construction brigade members. For several years in a row, Novopolotsk residents have won competitions that gave them the right to work on the construction of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant in Ostrovets. Such serious facilities provide experience that will definitely be useful in the future.
— I am currently a fourth-year student, and I will soon receive a degree as a civil engineer, specializing in highways. But can one be called a true engineer who does not possess the skills of blue-collar professions? — reflects Vadim. — To lead people, you need to understand what is being done and how. Thanks to the construction brigade, I am well acquainted with painting, assembly, and tiling. I know how to plaster, insulate, and plan to learn welding. By the way, my father is a welder, and he also works in construction…
The position of a construction brigade commander involves a large amount of public work. How do you manage to do everything, and does it interfere with your studies?
— If you want to, you can do everything. If you consider the additional workload not as a formal duty, but as one of the stages of self-improvement, — is convinced the leader of "Eureka". — Two summer months on a construction site offer both the opportunity to earn money and excellent practical experience. I consciously chose my future profession and the university in Novopolotsk. I am attracted to this city. And at the cosmodrome, we are also writing the history of our native Novopolotsk.
Tied his fate to Naftan
A quarter of a century – such a significant part of his life he dedicated to his native PEnterprise, operator of the vacuum gas oil distillation unit, Artur Kurilsky.— I came to Naftan OJSC in 1988, — the Novopolotsk resident says. — I already had a certificate of graduation from a vocational school. I was assigned as an operator to the oil contact purification unit. Then I went through several departments of the plant, learned different technologies.
Now the post is not an easy one. Working different shifts, including night shifts. A lot of equipment that needs to be monitored in real-time using instruments. Often, urgent technological decisions need to be made. And also, be ready at any moment to prevent an emergency situation with a team of professional colleagues. It's no wonder that our hero's workstation resembles an operational headquarters. Is it difficult?
— I've gotten used to it long ago, — Artur Viktorovich smiles. — It's a normal production process.
Responsibility is needed in any position today. It warms my heart to see how the enterprise is changing before my eyes! Constant modernization, new technologies: Belarusian oil refining is keeping pace with the industry in other countries and even ahead.
Operator Artur Kurilsky also has to constantly improve his qualifications. He asserts that it is interesting to master new technologies and find non-standard solutions. Moreover, our hero actively trains young specialists and has been performing the duties of a public labor protection inspector for over 20 years. For a long time, he represented Naftan OJSC and the city of Novopolotsk in the Council of Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus. Plus, he is an athlete. How does he find time for everything?
— It's all interconnected here! — the oil worker assures. — The main thing is the desire to keep up with the pace of life.
Artur Viktorovich is always in search, including creative search. Thanks to him,the raw material supply scheme to the tanks has been improved, thereby ensuring safer and accident-free operation of the plant. The technological furnace unit has undergone optimization of individual processes, resulting in reduced energy consumption. This is far from all the innovations of the enthusiast, who is firmly convinced that one must always work with a passion for what they do, and then the work will go smoothly.
The Lifework of the Genovs
The Genov family dynasty is a source of pride not only for Novopolotsk but for Belarus as a whole. The names of the renowned water ski coaches are known worldwide. Over 56 years, the Genovs have trained dozens of European and World champions, world record holders, 111 masters of sports, including 5 honored masters and 36 international class masters.Nikolai Genov founded the water ski school. Now his sons Vladimir and Arkady, and daughters-in-law Nadezhda and Tatiana, continue his work. However, getting all the Genovs together is quite a challenge.
…The Nikolai Genov Water Ski Base, which has the status of a specialized children's and youth sports school of the Olympic reserve, is located on Lyukhovo Lake. A training session is underway. Young athletes skillfully balance on skis, cutting beautiful wakes behind the boat driven by Arkady Genov.
"Unfortunately, Vladimir Nikolaevich is not here at the moment," explains the school's director, master of sports and Belarusian swimming champion Tatiana Genova. "He is at training camps in Minsk, preparing the guys for the Belarusian championship. And we are having regular training sessions..."
While waiting for their turn to "take off," the boys and girls stand on the wooden pier and diligently discuss the progress of their lessons. If something isn't working out, it's time to refine it with the coach's help. After all, when the cold weather sets in, the training process will move to the "Sadko" swimming pool. And although a unique facility has been created there, allowing for international competitions,The space is still not the same as here – on a lake with a solid water area and two training grounds separated by an isthmus.
— The fates of your families are so closely intertwined with water skiing that you probably can't imagine life without the school anymore? — I ask Arkady, Tatyana, and Nadezhda Genov.
They exchange glances and smile: if you add up the total experience of all members of the dynasty, it will be more than 250 years. Can such a thing be exchanged for something else? Today, about 200 promising young people are studying at the school. Future champions are growing up. And this is great. And the intrigue must be maintained, because the world sports community, observing the successes of Novopolotsk water skiers, is still shocked: how can you create the strongest water ski school on the planet in a small Belarusian town? The one that back in 2009 at the World Championships in Canada won the entire podium from its rivals?! And this is despite the fact that Belarus is far from the sea expanses...
Today, the continuers of the family business gratefully recall the legendary self-taught water skier. Nikolai Genov, unfortunately, tragically died in 2002.
A native of Polotsk, a sailor, a truck crane operator, and a builder of the oil city... A man who did the impossible: united enthusiasts and turned a simple hobby into a big sport for several thousand of his students, glorifying the country for many years.It was he who forced the traditional leaders to make room on the podiums and give way to the most prestigious place to the water skiers of Belarus. And the current generations of Genovs are giving the country more and more champions... Which is also a merit of Nikolai Leonidovich, who was the main mentor for his sons, daughters-in-law, and four granddaughters.
Plans of the Medvedev Family
Many couples worry when they have to work at the same enterprise. But Alexander and Natalia Medvedev, parents of many children, are glad that they have common interests. Both work at "Polymir". He comes from a dynasty of "Polymir" workers, a senior master of the instrument repair team, she is an engineer oone of the departments.— We studied at the same university, — Alexander says. — I mastered the profession of mechanical engineer, Natasha — civil engineer. And we met after we received our diplomas. Just in the city, on the street. And we didn't even suspect that we would work at one of the most important enterprises in the city and have a large, friendly family.
Let's clarify right away: not just a family. Recently, the Medvedevs were solemnly awarded the status of "Best Large Family of Novopolotsk" in the annual review competition. And at the regional stage of the competition, they took second place.
— We had a powerful support group, — the couple recall with a smile. — The entire staff of the enterprise was rooting for us. They joked: if not the Medvedevs, then who? In a word, we could not fail to meet the expectations of our colleagues.
The children also understood the responsibility — nine-year-old Katya, seven-year-old Ivan, and five-year-old Masha. And now they are very proud of the victory. The common cause has strengthened them, given them self-confidence, and recently, at a family council, the Medvedevs made an important decision: they will build their own house!
— We already have a plot, the project is under approval, — shares the head of the family. — Enough living in an apartment, it's time to explore new horizons. Especially since we haven't put a stop to the question of possible expansion of the family, — Alexander jokes.
Is it difficult to be constantly together: both at work and at home? On the contrary, it's convenient — the couple claim. Firstly, the plant is so large that it's even interesting to discuss what's happening in the neighboring department. Secondly, both Alexander and Natalia are passionate about environmental issues. They involved the children and colleagues in this endeavor. Together they developed the "Clean Games" project, and like-minded factory workers helped the Medvedevs to present and defend it at the competition.
In general, there is no time to be bored. Interests toEvery endeavor is immediately supported and shared by all family members. As it should be in any undertaking: one for all, and all for one. Katya and Ivan attend music school and play the piano. Mashenka has taken up dancing. Now, together with their parents, they participate in the public life of the enterprise.
And in Novopolotsk, they say today about the best family in the city: the future of the oil city is in the hands of people like the Medvedyevs. We should take an example!
"SB"