Display love for democracy
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 19: Exhibiting their love for democracy and civic duty, several newly married couples cast their votes at different polling stations of Doda, Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban and Kishtwar as the first phase of Lok Sabha elections commenced today with Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency voting amid inclement weather conditions.
In Bhaderwah, farewell ceremony of a bride to her in-laws house was delayed to let her cast the vote. The groom from Jammu Vishal Shanky, who got married to Monica Sharma at village Dandi in Bhadarwah yesterday and was supposed to take her bride to his house after ceremonial farewell today, delayed the farewell of his bride for a day from her parent’s house to let her vote today.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Despite torrential rains and chilly weather, the couple accompanied by relatives came hand in hand to the polling station Gatha where Monica exercised her franchise. Speaking to Excelsior, groom Vishal Shanky appealed all the voters to cast their vote for development.
Former MLA of Ramban and BJP leader Neelam Langhe, who got married two days ago, went to the Kundi polling station with his wife in wedding attire to cast his vote.
In a heartwarming display of civic duty and celebration, a newly-wed couple in Kishtwar district made a memorable statement by casting their votes in their wedding attire. Inspired by the impactful Systematic Voter Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) campaign, Rakesh Thakur, son of Nandlal Thakur from Tunda, Patnazi, and Shardha Devi, daughter of Pritam Chand from Maslie, Patnazi Tehsil Bounjwah, proudly exercised their democratic right as husband and wife.
click here to watch video
Amidst the hustle and bustle of their wedding festivities, the couple took time to participate in the electoral process, reflecting their deep-rooted commitment to civic engagement and democratic values. The sight of the newly-wed couple, adorned in traditional wedding attire, displaying their inked fingers sent a powerful message of unity, empowerment and solidarity.
Accompanied by his friends dressed in traditional attires, a groom decked up in ‘sherwani’ and colourful headgear was among the first to cast his vote at a polling booth in Udhampur. Kapil Gupta got married yesterday and exercised his franchise at a polling booth set up on the premises of the Jammu and Kashmir Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes & Backward Classes Development Corporation Limited in Udhampur town soon after returning home this morning. “Voting is our right and must be done on priority,” he said, requesting voters to vote in large numbers.
Sandeep Kumar and Ranjana from village Dehari of Ramnagar, who also got married yesterday, exercised their right to vote by casting votes at a polling booth set up in a school. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, Sandeep said that election is also a festival and like other festivals we should also celebrate this by participating in the electoral process.
Another newly married couple, Sahil and Radhika, turned up in wedding costumes at a polling station set up in Lambi Gali in Udhampur town. “We got married only yesterday and I told my husband that we should vote. My vote is not here but I accompanied him,” the bride said. “I will be visiting my parents later in the day in a nearby village to fulfill my democratic responsibility as well,” she added.
A newly-wed lady namely Kusum Devi accompanied by her brother turned up at a polling booth in Latti and voted in favour of a candidate of her choice. “My mother told me not to go for voting as I am just married and it is not good to stand in a queue in wedding costume but I told her that I will not let my vote go waste as this chance comes after a long wait of five years,” she said while speaking to reporters.
A polling booth set up at the Government Middle School in Parli Wand of Kathua district was witness to similar scenes. Aseem Mangotra and his wife Vaishali came to vote immediately after completing their wedding rituals.
“I have come directly from the wedding ceremony after completing the ‘pheras’ as I did not want to waste my vote. Registering your choice to elect your representatives only comes once in five years,” Mangotra said. Echoing her husband’s sentiments, Vishali said voting is a power in the hands of the common people and should not be wasted.
Kathua district witnessed heavy rainfall since this morning but the rains failed to dampen spirits and voters were seen thronging polling stations, braving the inclement weather. A newly married lady clad in wedding costume was the first voter who cast her vote in a polling station number 23 set up in Duggan area of Bani. She said voting is not only our right but also responsibility and we should fulfill our responsibility with utmost care and wisdom.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
