Understand more about Uncle Ho's words about political cadres
In a letter sent to the Political Commissar Conference of the entire army in March 1948, Uncle Ho wrote: "Towards the army, a Political Commissar must be fair like an older brother, close like an older sister, understanding like a friend." The letter is nearly 60 years old, but its meaning is still felt by the entire army, especially those who do political work in the army.
Firstly: Uncle Ho affirmed that towards the army, the Political Commissar must be "fair like an elder brother". The word fair here, according to Uncle Ho, means fair, equal, to be reasonable, not to reward those who like him, and punish those who hate him. "Must be fair and virtuous. Do not use public property for private purposes. Do not use private people for public work. Everything must be fair and upright, not for personal favors, favors, or personal grudges..." The Political Commissar is the person who directly carries out ideological work, the person who holds the scales of justice. Therefore, he must be a person who possesses all the elements of virtue and talent, "both red and professional", must give up his own reputation and interests, and be wholeheartedly devoted to the country, the people, and the army. Only then, in resolving relationships, can we ensure fairness, equality, and rationality as Uncle Ho taught.
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Checking the teaching aids before training at Thuan An Artillery Corps. Photo: Dinh Thai |
Second: Uncle Ho required the Political Commissar to be "as close as an older sister" to the soldiers. For Vietnamese people, the image of an older sister is very close and always respected. The proverb "When the older sister falls, the younger sister lifts her up" represents the deep blood relationship between people of the same bloodline who always help and rely on each other. The older sister is always generous, forgiving, selfless, and takes good care of her younger sister. Therefore, the Political Commissar must be truly close "as close as an older sister". Always take care of the soldiers in his unit like his own younger brother. "If the soldiers are not full, the cadres must not complain of hunger, if the soldiers are not warmly dressed, the cadres must not complain of cold" and must constantly create all favorable conditions for the soldiers to devote themselves to completing all assigned tasks.
Third: Uncle Ho required political commissars to "understand each other like a friend" with the soldiers. Friends are mutual understanding. Being friends means understanding each other. In the army, friendship is not only expressed in the close relationship of friendship but also a precious tradition that has been forged through many generations, sometimes with the shedding of blood and bones. It is expressed in the comradely love of those who share the same aspirations and are ready to fight and sacrifice for the independence and freedom of the Fatherland and for the happiness of the people. A true friendship can only be achieved when officers and soldiers "mix water and wine together", sharing the same joys and sorrows (joys and sorrows together). To understand each other like a friend, political commissars must be truly close, wholeheartedly devoted to the soldiers, know how to care about their material and spiritual lives, and meet all their legitimate needs and aspirations, creating favorable conditions for them to strive to rise up.
The three qualities of "Fairness", "Friendliness", and "Understanding" are closely related to each other and interact with each other, which are both political and professional qualities of a political officer. In carrying out the campaign "Studying and following the moral example of Ho Chi Minh", political officers must regularly grasp and thoroughly implement the above teachings in a way that is suitable for all subjects and all conditions and circumstances. Take that as a guideline for their work process. Regularly cultivate qualities and capacities, especially political and ideological qualities, lifestyle ethics and the capacity to carry out Party work and political work to meet the requirements of building the Army in the new situation.
Vuong Kim Hai -(Provincial Military Command)
