Models in disguise

There was a time when photography and modelling were professions associated with the glamour industry. Artists normally do this work for popularity, prominence or money. Photo shoots for newspapers and magazines were very common and were used as tools to market products for the corporate sector.

Now, with innovation in all segments of society, the culture of photo shoots and modelling has trickled to other sectors as well. A politician cannot be considered a good politician if he/she is not an excellent model.

Come to think of it, all politicians and civil officers now seem to be ‘modelling’ in public gatherings and functions. Be it a visit to monitor the plight of dengue victims or demonstrations against soaring prices of vegetables and fruits, politicians find ample opportunities to ‘model’. ‘Photo shoots’ are then circulated in the media and published by newspapers.

The Punjab government has now made it mandatory for regional commissioners, regional police officers and district coordination officers to supervise the auction process at fruit and vegetable markets. The step was meant to keep a vigilant eye on the price hikes of kitchen items, as the prices of tomatoes, onion and potatoes had made these commodities out of reach of the common man. The officers have been asked to send photographs of their visits to the markets to the chief minister on a daily basis, in order to provide sufficient evidence that the duty has been performed.

When it comes to our politicians, they seem to have become more conscious of appearances rather than performing their duties. Steps like the one to make the presence of senior officers at auction processes mandatory may help to confine the profit of wholesalers and retailers of vegetables and fruits, but this is not a permanent solution. ‘Modelling’ might lead to good pictures, but it does little to reduce prices.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 17^th, 2013.