Elderly defy age constraints to vote

Panchkula: Reflecting strong faith in the democratic process, many elderly citizens defied age-related issues to cast their votes in the MC election on Sunday."This could be my last poll, please take me to the polling booth this time," said 93-year-old Bharto Devi to her family members. Bharto, a resident of Billa village, could not go to the polling booth during the last election due to ill health. This time, she did not want to take a chance. She also encouraged her family members to exercise their franchise, saying, "All family members should cast votes. What will you do by keeping the voter card at home."Her grandson Harjit Janghra, an advocate, told TOI, "My brother was reluctant to go but she ensured he cast his vote. Dadi ji had paralysis five to six years ago, she is fine now. At her insistence, we took her to vote at the govt school in Billa. I did not see any wheelchair, so we helped her walk to the voting area."Likewise, B S Kandari, 91, arrived at the Sector 6 govt school to cast vote with his wife Rajeshwari Devi. He said he hoped the youth would also participate in the democratic process. At the Sector 17 govt school, a man left people deeply moved by carrying his mother, around 80, to the polling booth in his arms. With the sole wheelchair at the booth occupied by another elderly citizen, he carried his mother himself. "She wished to vote and I decided I would help her have her wish. Since she is not well, I could not have waited for a wheelchair, so decided to carry her inside," he said.MSID:: 130993395 413 |