Late MPs Mohabeer Foogooa , Dayanandlall Basant Rai, Guy Rozemont, Ramesh-war Jaypal, Hurryparsad Ramnarain, Robert Rey (as independent candidate ) were among those elected in their respective constituencies thanks to the sheer force of their social service to the community. Although years have passed since their death, people still remember them: institutions bear their names and their good actions are an echo unto the coming generations.

Dedicated and unpretending as they were, their class, colour, ethnicity or religion did not matter because the electorate cast their votes to get them elected as their representatives. What was the magic behind it ? It was simply their selfless service to the poor , the needy and the oppressed . However, today people in general have an altogether different opinion of some politicians.

The common people never stop wondering whether the fortune spent on electioneering by certain politicians is not an investment. They do not hesitate to say that some come ?naked? and grow dirty rich not long after: they become owners of large properties of varied nature and heads of big business; they eventually turn their backs on politics but support the winning party (ies) in elections only to protect their own interests.

The man in the street has so many stories to tell about these selfish, self-styled politicians. After using their electorate as a ladder to attain their ends, they not only ignore them but throw away all forms of support as useless though they continue to look upwards. Yet politics should be nothing but a social service. Lal Bahadur Shastri ( 1904-1966 ) who succeeded Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru as prime minister of India has given a striking example. Assuming office, he refused to take all the benefits and enjoy the privileges that should be due to him as prime minister. ?The government is providing me with the basic needs, that?s all; there is no need for more; just pay the bills for my family expenses, he would say. President John F. Kennedy?s words are still not outdated ? ?ask not what your country can do for you ? ask what you can do for your country?.?

In the face of the challenges presented by the uncertain economic conditions ahead, our island home is in need of a new breed of politicians. In certain quarters, thinking people are proposing to politicians to give up their remuneration as contribution to some good cause; they are being asked to give up selfishness and to take up selflessness as a code of conduct. This will be a sure way for them to be remembered and to go down in the chequered history of Mauritius.

Some people even wonder whether pensions for MPs serving two terms of office should not be reviewed. They say MPs should be entitled to a pension (if at all ) only after turning 60 like all citizens of the country instead of how it is dispensed at present.

Others suggest MPs should come forward with a voluntary decrease in their remuneration. That amount is to be credited to the prime minister?s fund or any charitable institution. Will there be such volunteers, they ask? Let us see.

Joining politics, far from being an investment, a business, is a calling to raise the living conditions of the deprived, the unhappy and the weak of the community. It is only the privileged that are given the chance of helping others who are in need .In broad terms, getting into politics should be a social service which requires great courage, hard work, resilience of mind, immense sacrifice and tenacity.

<B>Kaviraj SOHUR</B>