Editorial: What do people expect in the new year?

On the eve of every Afghan new year, which begins on March 21, people in this traditional society look to the government as patriarch. However, their expectations of this patriarch are too high. For instance, government is perceived to be responsible for providing food, accommodation, education, healthcare, electricity, gas and transport, much of it virtually free of charge. But if you ask John F. Kennedy’s question, about what are you doing for your country, people look at you sheepishly and keep silent. Our people are used to government control, even monopoly. The prices of all essential items were controlled by the ministry of commerce after the Second World War. Later on, control over foodstuffs, especially meat of all kinds, was transferred to the municipalities. At that time, every ministry had health insurance so that its staff got free treatment. The government was so generous with education that boys from the provinces were given free board and lodging, and university students were paid monthly grants. In this coming year, what people expect more than anything else is a government with a professional and hard-working cabinet. If everything is topsy-turvy after 23 years of war, let us stand upright ourselves.