January 10, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 30, 1428

NEW DELHI: An Indian state leader has asked his constituents to avoid bowing down and touching his feet and other gestures of sycophancy because he considers it undemocratic and embarrassing, a government official said on Wednesday.

India is the world’s largest democracy, yet many citizens continue to have a kind of feudal relationship with authorities.

If someone has even a modest amount of power, touching their feet and using grovelling language is often the best way to keep in their favour and get them to do their job.

In a break from this, Prem Kumar Dhumal, who was sworn in as chief minister of Himachal Pradesh state on Dec 30, has taken out notices in local papers humbly requesting that petitioners visiting him not to bring garlands of flowers, shawls and other gifts.

However, a single flower is acceptable, said Arun Kumar, the minister’s private secretary, who also emphasised that the advertisement were not an order, merely a “humble request”.

“He’s the son of a farmer,” Kumar said by telephone from Shimla, the state capital. “He is a commoner, and although he has risen to the level of the chief minister, he continues to be a commoner.”

He added that the minister’s constituents were a bit stunned by the request, but many saw it as a positive break from the past.—Reuters