It all happened one evening years ago in a free discussion at the University of Delhi International Students' Hostel. Towards the end of their courses, some overseas students were trying to figure out what careers they would like to enter, once back home. Most taking the humanities let out they would go for teaching; others studying medicine or dentistry said they would join the public service or do private practice.

But Ken, a political science student came forward to declare that he would take up active politics, which had always fascinated him. When elected , he added , he aspired to become a minister – a minister, who is next to God, chauffeur-driven in a BMW or Jaguar in addition to the numerous privileges he would enjoy. Should these be the aims of choosing politics as career ?

Now that the dates for the general elections are known, future candidates are having an exciting time, especially the new ones of all parties. They are coming with a dream. Sometimes it is unduly grand. Some are fresh from university with degrees and diplomas trying to convince the electorate they are competent and capable of proving their worth.

Others will resign from their high-ranking posts despite being discouraged by members of their families. Some of the potential candidates are even planning to sell off land or other property passed on by their parents; among them are also those who are prepared to part with belongings of great sentimental value. All this is just to finance electioneering which costs a fortune , they disclose.

Yet, some people think that politics is a dirty game. Their explanation is: whoever one is , however educated , no matter how generous or dedicated, one starts becoming an object of dislike after some time, even much before the five year - term ends . They say one begins to give off “a bad smell”. Is politics then a dirty game? Cer-tainly not.

Contrary to “polytricks” -many masks (depending on the occasion of holiness, honesty, humility, integrity), role models used generally by self-styled, opportunist politicians – politics is science of government, power in public life to influence decisions that affect a country or society. It concerns the welfare of nations - the removal of disease, illiteracy, poverty, squalor and social inequalities. According to Mahatma Gandhi, in politics, we have to establish the Kingdom of Heaven. Far from being a dirty game, politics is something sacred. He goes on to say that you cannot divide social, economic, political and purely religious work into water-tight compartments.

As the political science student believes, is a minister really next to God? Is it so? Once again, the answer is no. A minister comes and goes but God is there always. A minister can never claim to be God but is for sure a servant on a much larger scale than a member of parliament (MP).

The word minister actually comes from Latin, 'ministrare' which means to serve, to wait upon. As long as he/she is a minister, he/she has a lot of followers. But once he/she quits, all his/her trappings go as well. He/she becomes a citizen like any other. But, if during his/her term of office, he/she has not done anything worth remembering, has not left behind any legacy, he/she will be ignored, cursed and even made a laughing-stock in public with so many bad and shameful names.

To join politics is like embracing a religious order. It requires distinctive qualities: courage, generosity, loyalty, total devotion, integrity and, above all, an upright character. It has to be a calling, a vocation to serve. Remember in politics, you have the unique chance to become a philosopher-ruler. Unlike the politician who thinks of the next election, you have the privilege as a would-be statesman to plan for future generations. More importantly, you will be invested with the power to shape the destiny of your people and even make history.

<B>Kaviraj SOHUR</B>