Pioneer-DILLI BILLI-7th.August.11 "UNDIPLOMATIC DRESSING"

"UNDIPLOMATIC DRESSING"


Was there need for Pak’s new Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to look like a design studio herself?

With geo-politics changes taking place at a fast pace, India was not very sure about how to handle Pakistan’s new, 34-year-old, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar. The youth today is caught up in their work and life and may not appear to be patriotic as the older generation. Therefore, at times, the younger generation’s attitude is not always taken in the right spirit. I would not call myself orthodox and have had enough exposure to the outside world but even I am at a loss on how to sum up Khar.

But if I were a conservative person, I would have preferred to see a young bright US educated woman alight from Pakistani plane dressed in a more diplomatic manner. It is may seem a bit hypocritical, but Khar represents her country. She is a leader. To be dressed in a chic and smart way is an entirely different matter than looking like a person who is a walking talking designer mouthpiece.

India has played host to a number of international leaders and personalities. From John F Kennedy to President Barack Obama to Hillary Clinton to Sarah Palin — all of them have had admirers in India. With an impeccable sense of dressing, they didn’t have to carry handbags that shouted that it was a designer nor did they have to wear shades that were too large and loud for their faces.

We, in India, also have young MPs. Most of them come from old, elite and wealthy political families. But the ingrained diplomacy in our leaders ensures that we dress right. Who could be more charming and pretty than Priyanka Gandhi. Yet one sees her dressed in simple cotton salwar-kurtas. Once in a while one does see her in a sari — also cotton. Our women leaders like, Late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, young Ministers like Preneet Kaur and Selja Kumari don’t need to carry a Birkin bag (rumored to be worth rs17 lakh). These are women of substance who are confident and are very careful not to flaunt their wealth in full public view — their votebank barely manages to eat two meals a day. To carry a bag worth rs17 lakh would not be in good taste.

As a leader, that too in the sub-continent, one doesn’t have to carry a designer bag in order to get attention. The media can’t be blamed for labeling a leader as a ‘fashion icon’ rather than be called an intelligent mantri. This, of course, doesn’t mean that Khar is not intelligent. But she should not have huffed so much when Indian media talked of nothing but her choice of accessories. Our media is not used to dignitaries visiting from neighbouring countries talk of friendship where most people live below the poverty line supporting an expensive bag. Maybe next time she visits we would have got used to the designer clad dignitary and the focus will be on real issues.

I am not an ageist. In fact, I am in awe of the younger generation and the exposure they have. It’s not about hypocrisy or hiding who you are, it is about knowing what works where.