Every morning I open the newspaper, and what greets me? The smiling, smirking, sneering faces of our political leaders. I go for a walk, and there they are on giant billboards. They are there in advertisements for roads, in government schemes, even on electricity bills. Sometimes I wonder whether I live in a democracy or in a photo album.

And here is the strange part. Not one of them looks even remotely like a film star.

Most have expressions that could curdle milk.

Some seem to be frowning at their own picture, others appear to be scolding the reader. Yet they seem convinced the nation cannot move forward without seeing their faces everywhere.

I sometimes imagine the conversation that must take place at their offices. “Sir, shall we print the ad about the new bridge?” asks the assistant. “Yes, yes,” says the leader. “Make sure my face covers half the bridge!” If there is a drought relief poster, there is his picture. If there is a vaccination drive, there she is, grinning as if she mixed the serum herself.

Even death certificates may soon come with a leader’s smiling face, reminding you that he still lives though you are dead.

Why this obsession? Is it vanity or pride, or a huge inferiority complex? Do they think that the more we see them, the more we will love them? I have bad news for them. Familiarity breeds contempt. Every time I see one of those forced smiles, my morning coffee turns bitter.

And what about the expressions? Many look like they are in a permanent state of irritation. Some look at the camera as if the photographer owes them money. A few appear to have just swallowed a lemon. Honestly, if mothers were told to hang these portraits in their drawing rooms, even they would hesitate.

I have a solution. Instead of plastering their faces everywhere, our leaders should spend some time before a mirror, not admiring, but introspecting. Let them learn to be honest, compassionate, and sincere. Let them try doing good without expecting applause. Slowly, the lines of deceit will fade, and their faces will begin to glow.

That glow, born of kindness and integrity, will make them truly photogenic.

And then, they will not even need to display their pictures. Their good works will speak louder than their portraits. People will remember their smiles not because they were printed on posters, but because they brought genuine smiles to others.

Until then, dear leaders, please vacate my visual space. Let my morning paper return to being about news and not about noses. When you finally become beautiful from the inside, the world will notice without you asking. Till that day, spare our eyes, and let your deeds—not your faces—fill the pages.

In the holy scriptures we learn that nobody has seen the face of God, yet through His works we see Him everywhere. Right?

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