The enthusiasm of senior citizens to vote on Thursday should put youngsters to shame. As against the abysmal turnout of youth, senior citizens exercised their sovereign right mindless of their age.
Nothing was seen as an impediment by the enthusiastic elderly from casting their precious vote. Attired in crisp white pyjamas and kurtas and in some cases traditional outfits the earnestness shown by the aged to vie for their candidate was one of its kind.
Without disrupting the security norms and seeking any extra favours, senior citizens came out in full swing to choose their candidate. Withstanding the heat and long queues, the patience shown by the aged for voting was a commendable feat. “On Thursday autos were assigned to ferry electoral equipment and officers. But the striking aspect of the day was when I had to pick an ailing senior citizen to vote. He was finding it very difficult to walk and required assistance even to reach to the booth. However his determination to cast vote was amazing," said Vashi Taxi Rickshaw Chalak Malak Ekta Union's president Sunil Borde.
Placing complete trust on democracy for the senior citizen casting of vote is symbolic to the love one has for the country. The whole process is revered more than just an ink mark drawn upon the finger. “I'm 92 years old and voted inspite of having to walk a stretch of 2 kms. The Indian government renewed my passport for another 10 years, so if God wills then I will vote again the next time. God bless those who don't vote for it is a responsibility towards one's nation. It's an immensely thought out decision that I execute with total dedication on the day of voting for a candidate,” said Belapur resident Sardar Kabil Singh.
Nurturing an aspiration for a stable government that provides a prosperous future is the primary motivating factor that prompts the aged to vote. “I want a stable government that can lead the nation to its best. If I don't vote then I have no right to complain for the bad governance that I will have to endure for the next five years. The initiative of independent candidates is praiseworthy, but the country can only be lead by a strong party. My vote will play a prominent role in bringing the correct party into power,” said 84-year-old Gauri Mullick vice president of the Belapur-based Association for Senior Citizens.
