IT is instructive to see French President Francois Hollande living like a common man. He lives in the same rented apartment and hasn’t moved to the Élysée Palace (French President House).

He shops at the same shopping malls which he used to shop before becoming the president. He prefers to travel by road on short distances and he has cut his salary by 30 per cent.

The commitment being shown by the French president towards his people and his country is highly appreciable. In his image, one can find an example of a devoted leader from whom the common man can expect great things.

How he goes about his policies and manages the affairs of his country is altogether a separate debate, the notable aspect is the start in the right direction.

It is important that a leader should have high moral values and ethics, and these values are not portrayed by how lavish a lifestyle s/he passes, rather these are sown in her/his character while being brought up.

In our society, the more expensive an outlook a person portrays, the greater a person s/he is perceived to be. A leader is always a person to whom the people of a country can relate to, and it is most certainly not the case in our country.

It is a positive development that democracy is deepening its roots in our country, however, the chances of finding a leader whom we as a nation can relate to seems distant.

AIZAZ KHOKHAR Hyderabad