Aims of the ideal leader

THE EDITOR: There are thousands of leaders in this world who fail to realise the true aim of their leadership.

A leader of a country must know that he has many obligations to his subjects.

An ideal leader is one who gives and works for the happiness of his people. He is to his subjects what he is to his children. He must be the patriarch of the country.

The first aim of an ideal leader should be to see that not one of his subjects suffers from lack of food and clothing.

He must secure for all his subjects a sufficient supply of the necessities of life since it is the first essential to peace and happiness among people.

Advancement of education is the second aim of an ideal ruler. He should ensure there is not a single individual who cannot read or write.

Illiteracy has no place in an ideal country.

He must not neglect the aesthetic sense for it is inseparably associated with moral sentiment. Encouragement of the fine arts must be a concern of the ruler.

Science must not be neglected because it is indispensable to the improvement of industry.

The ideal country should not helplessly depend on foreign imports.

Social attention must be given to military training. An ideal ruler must avoid war.

A leader can be a great statesman if he knows how to govern his country.

An ideal ruler must study the state of his country and needs of his subjects.

An ideal ruler must visit parts of his country privately to hear what people say of himself and his rule.

Finally, an ideal ruler is he who, when he finds that his subjects — not individuals — do not want him, will abdicate in favour of the person chosen by the people.

AHAMAD KHAYYAM, Curepe