Honesty in public life a rare quality

These days honesty in public life appears to be a rare quality, although it has not completely vanished. Simplicity is missing from politics much to the concern and anxiety of the people, who want to see a clean image of politicians and others as far as possible. True, the South Asian region, even India, which was once the epitome of clean public life, no longer enjoys that reputation. Nevertheless, India still has a better reputation for producing honest ministers, politicians and others despite a string of scandals that have tainted their image in recent years. In Bangladesh, the condition is really very disappointing, if newspaper reports and public perception are any guide. Should not we improve this image?
Abu Hossain Sarkar was the chief minister of the "Jukta Front" government in the erstwhile East Pakistan in the mid fifties. The amount of money the suave and selfless politician had  left after a long political innings that also saw him rise to the top position in East Pakistan was so small that it was not enough for meeting the expenses for his burial. Such instances were not uncommon in politics in those days. Even immediately after the Independence of Bangladesh, the architect of the new nation and four national leaders had hardly anything compared to their status. But what we see these days! Barring exceptions, there is undeniably a rat race for accumulation of wealth by politicians- both in the ruling and opposition parties.
Politicians often say that they have dedicated their life for the causes of the people and they have nothing to seek for themselves. True, they are the persons, who are to establish examples for others. At the same time, none expects them to go hungry or without the basic comfort or give up their income and properties for the sake of the masses. However, examples are there that politicians did give up everything for the welfare of the people and opted for a simple life. Late comrade Moni Singh had no lust for his huge properties in Durgapur of Netrakona district and preferred an underground life to work for the downtrodden in a difficult situation. We have many politicians in this part of the world who really dedicated themselves for the betterment of their people.
The other day one respected politician told me that he had no car of his own and he found no problem with travelling by rickshaw or even bus. Certainly, this is commendable, but how many such instances would one find nowadays?  On the contrary, there is an increasing tendency to demonstrate wealth. Why only the politicians? Persons from different professions unhesitatingly flaunt wealth and there is hardly any accountability for the sources of funds.
There are examples galore in South Asia of very important persons-politicians and others who carefully jettisoned comfort and glamour in public life. Bhuddadev Bhattacharya, the former chief minister of West Bengal state of India, lived in a 1200 sq. ft accommodation and he felt no qualm for that. His wife shared a vehicle with others for going to her office and they found it was the right thing. The present chief minister of the state Mamata Baneerjee may not be above controversy, but she is highly admired for her simple life. Even her staunchest critics cannot raise a finger questioning her personal honesty. Former Indian prime minister Lal Bahadur Sastri chose to live in a small house within the prime minister's vast premises as he felt comfortable there.
Will the era of Abu Hossain Sarker be back in our life? It is unthinkable these days. But definitely pomp and grandeur can be curtailed. It is really disconcerting to watch sumptuous and expensive "Iftar items" in parties thrown by VIPs while the overwhelming majority of the people somehow break their fast with modest items. It is all the more objectionable to show such gourmet items in the media. Should we not bring a stop to this kind of demonstration of costly food items, particularly in the month of "Ramadan", a period of self-purification?
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