Sir: Narcissism is the pursuit of gratification from vanity or egotistic admiration of one’s own attributes. The term originated from Greek mythology, where the young Narcissus fell in love with his own image reflected in a pool of water. People exhibiting superiority, arrogance, self-admiration and entitlement are likely to be considered suffering from this tendency — which in its extreme form could also be termed as Narcissistic Personality Disorder. To display narcissism may be an individual’s own problem. But to repeatedly indulge in this obsession at the taxpayers’ expense is a matter of public concern. Consider the ad on National Women’s Day that was carried by many newspapers on February 12. The half-page ad is loaded with twelve photographs — four of one family, one of the chief minister, six of a minister and one of the Secretary Department of Women’s Development. This beats the previous world record when the newspapers carried a similar ad on February 3 showing eight photographs — four of one family, one of the chief minister, two of the minister and one of the secretary. Many citizens have raised the question if it is appropriate and ethical for politicians and government officials to display their narcissism using the taxpayers’ money. After all they are rich enough to comfortably fulfil their obsession for seeking glory by sponsoring such ads from their own pockets. This is also a moment of introspection for the newspapers. Should the newspapers carry an ad knowing fully well that it involves blatant misuse of state resources? Is ‘happening for decades’ a good argument to continue with this distasteful and unethical practice? As a citizen I am greatly concerned at this accelerating trend of ‘personal publicity at state expense’. Can I request all newspapers to please consider not carrying any ad that is paid out of government funds and includes pictures of politicians or state officials.
NAEEM SADIQ
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