Children of 1984 riot victims cast votes

MOHALI: Out of 90 girls living in the Guru Aasra Trust in Mohali, who were eligible to vote, came forward and exercised their franchise at the St Soldier's School in Phase 7 of Mohali. These girls are the children of 1984 riot victims. The trust, established in 1997, has nine members (five permanent and four temporary).
Under the guidance of Kuldeep Kaur, these girls are doing well in life.Kaur said: "All the girls are either college-going or school-going, so they are well aware of their rights, and we always motivate them to go ahead and fulfil their dreams."
Rajpal is a 20-year-old first-time voter who has been living in the trust for 14 years. Her father Sardar Pargat Singh was martyred in the 1984 riots, and unfortunately, her mother too expired. Her brother and two sisters are living in Amritsar with their maternal grandmother. Rajpal said: "Voting is our right, and it is very much important to exercise our right carefully and properly."
Jagroop Kaur, a 21-year-old, whose father was martyred in a terrorist act in 1991, said she has never known her mother, as she was killed in the 1984 riots. She said: "I believe in the never-say-die spirit, and if you want to change your country, than it is essential to follow this spirit and the path which leads you towards your right."
Parjinder Kaur, a 22-year-old second-time voter, has been living in this trust for 12 years, as her father Manjinder Singh was martyred in 1984, and her mother is living in Amritsar. She said: "Kuldeep ma'am has always been a motivation, and so has been everybody else living here."