We are badly in need of national leaders and not mere party leaders who believe in showmanship. They should abide by the Gandhian principles of truth, non-violence, austerity and simple living. A complete change in the mindset is required otherwise the youth of this country has not forgotten the slogan of Swami Vivekananda: "Oh youth of India, rise, awake and stop not till the desired end is achieved." Today this end is the welfare of the nation and the people.

The country must be ensured free and fair elections, a transparent, responsive and accountable bureaucracy, and a people-friendly action-oriented government which can deliver the goods.

K. L. Batra,
Yamunanagar

Wanted honest leaders: Mr Hari Jaisingh has put forward many suggestions that we desperately need to adopt to prevent criminalisation of politics, make the leaders accountable and prevent the loot of public money. In an earlier article he had rightly described today's leaders as “pygmies who are self-seekers”. The problem is to get well-meaning persons to come forward through the aggressive crowd to self-seeking politicians. The answer perhaps lies in making political career financially non-lucrative and non-influential.

Measures should be taken to block interference by ministers and other representatives in the administration. The role of members of Parliament and legislative assemblies should be limited to debates/discussions and voting in the House on national or state issues. Their other duties should be to seek redress and assistance for the development of their constituencies. Ministers should confine themselves to policy formation, monitoring, and coordination within their ministries besides making a contribution in the council of ministers. The departments of the ministries should enjoy autonomy and should be run strictly according to rules and regulations. Intra-departmental complaints should not be referred beyond the top man except where redress is sought from a court. Complaints and representations against the head of the department can, however, be made to the minister concerned. An autonomous Vigilance Department and the Auditor-General should be the watchdogs. Like the audit, a vigilance check and clearance should be mandatory. Baring the very top, ministers should be barred from interfering in the enrolling procedure, promotions and transfers.

The list is by no means exhaustive but it indicates the direction we need to take to make politics less lucrative and politicians less influential so that well-meaning, selfless and humble leaders emerge to oversee the well-being of the nation.

Sumandeep Kapoor,
Jalandhar

Need for total revamp: Mr Hari Jaisingh has called upon the people to take the initiative and create the right environment against the malaise so that the future generations can breathe with greater ease and comfort.

Small changes will not suffice. A total revamping of the system is the need of the hour. We have committed many blunders in the past, knowingly or unknowingly. It will be yet another folly if we render ourselves vulnerable to these social evils and let them devour us. It is now or never as the writer has said in one of his write-ups.