Changing role

Sir — This refers to the article, “Need leaders who can sacrifice” (April 19) by Raghu Dayal. During the 1950s, there were MlAs and even MPs, who wore khadi kurtas and dhotis, and went from door to door, unhesitatingly on foot with a walking stick, to mingle with the people and listen to their woes. 

However, today, being a public representative has become a symbol of status. A few years back, I called up the MlA of my locality, to take an appointment for a meeting with him on some general problem. On the other side came the voice of a man who introduced himself as the private secretary of the MlA, who informed that vidhayak ji was not available. 

On being asked as to when he would be available, he refused to disclose, citing security reasons. Our representatives have forgotten that they have been elected to serve the public.