Innovation in the way of going to the base

The base is the foundation in relation to the things built on it or based on it to exist and develop. The base is the unit at the lowest level, where activities such as production, work, etc. of an organizational system are directly carried out, in relation to the superior leadership departments. The base is the place that vividly reflects, is the "mirror" of the policies and activities of the entire political system.

No matter how correct, good, or rigorous a policy, resolution, project, or plan is, if the people do not understand, believe, or implement it, it remains only on paper. If we want policies and resolutions to become reality, they must be demonstrated by a revolutionary movement from the grassroots.

Nghe An Plant Seed Center in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development organized a Field Workshop. Illustrative photo

Going to the grassroots. That is what all levels have advocated and concluded for decades. There have been policies that are concise and easy to remember, easy to implement such as "eating, living, working together", "field seminars", "holding hands to show the work", "listening to people, speaking so that people understand, doing so that people believe",... Uncle Ho taught cadres to "think with the mind, see with the eyes, listen with the ears, walk with the feet, speak with the mouth, and do with the hands,..." Yet, when reviewing according to the spirit of Resolution 4 of the Central Committee, at all levels, many cadres admit or are advised that they "have not spent enough time going to the grassroots". That is not only a reality but also a seemingly "pleasant" shortcoming, which sounds "innocent"?

In fact, there have been cadres who, when coming to the grassroots, have made sharp discoveries, bringing a comprehensive vision to the grassroots, pointing out good and effective ways of doing things, which are loved by cadres and people. There are good policies and actions that have been summarized and widely replicated, very practical.

However, there are also cadres who go to the grassroots and cannot help but make the grassroots discouraged. There are cadres who do not have a firm grasp of policies and methods - superiors but cannot guide their subordinates. There are cadres who act like "I am here", using their superiors' power to bully. There are cadres who suggest sharing, giving envelopes, drinking, harassing, and corrupting even subordinate cadres, etc. There is a phenomenon of "going to the grassroots regularly" but at the end of the month, at the end of the quarter, the reflection in the meetings and reports is all: People are united, excited, and confident, etc. However, the weather is not favorable; the price of materials is high; the risk of disease in crops and livestock; many negative and corrupt cases in the press make people confused... becoming refrains that can be said anywhere. Meanwhile, in many cases, people are confused, do not know who to ask, even filing lawsuits for months without knowing, like whose business?

When going to the base, you must clearly define the purpose and requirements - what are you going to do? Are you going to discover problems, to gain experience, or to urge, inspect, solve difficulties, or to guide implementation, etc. Superiors must assign tasks according to the purpose of the work to suit the expertise, capacity, and strengths of the staff, and must clearly define the purpose and content, from which a specific schedule and method can be determined.

New and good things are like buds. If discovered at the right time, cherished, nurtured and shaped, they will flourish. New things that encounter conservative, dogmatic, stereotypical, prejudiced and cold views can easily wither and be destroyed.

If incidents, difficulties, and problems are discovered early and solutions are sought, they will be easily "contained", making "big things become small things, small things become nothing", not letting "a small thing give rise to a big problem".

If new policies and guidelines are widely publicized, explained, and mobilized thoroughly and systematically, people will easily understand, trust, and act effectively.

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If officials only carry an umbrella to work, "study and write papers", they will suffer from bureaucracy, be far from reality, and be far from the people. Officials who are far from reality and the people are very dangerous.

How to go to the grassroots properly comes from the heart and vision of superiors and each cadre. If we keep on using the slogan "Towards the grassroots", the previous person has not yet arrived and the next person has arrived, then wouldn't it be clever to say "you go and the people stay, you stay and the people go"?