 In 1946, he joined Komsomol, the Soviet political youth organization, becoming leader of his local group and then being elected to the Komsomol committee for the district.From primary school he moved to the high school in Molotovskeye; he stayed there during the week while walking the home during weekends.As well as being a member of the school's drama society, he organized sporting and social activities and led the school's morning exercise class.