Madhuri gets nostalgic

In Puducherry, democracy has gone digital in style. As voting unfolds in a tight NDA vs Congress battle, a robot named Nila has become the face of innovation at a polling booth, greeting voters with flowers and voice assistance. Designed by a Coimbatore-based team, Nila can communicate in multiple languages and deliver pre-programmed messages, offering a unique voter experience. But beyond the novelty lies a serious election, with lakhs of voters and hundreds of candidates in the fray. The administration has also introduced special booths managed by women and young officers, alongside heightened security at vulnerable stations. While the fundamentals of voting remain unchanged, the integration of technology signals a shift in how elections are conducted. Puducherry’s experiment reflects a broader trend—making democratic participation more accessible, engaging, and future-ready without compromising its integrity.