Some came on crutches, some on wheelchairs, some were supported by loving sons and daughters and some walked, strong and sturdy and willing to brave the heat and the queues. The senior citizens of this city did not go unnoticed on voting day.
And they spoke at length about how things had changed and why they made the effort to stand in line to vote.
“This generation is so much more idealistic, they actually want to do good. I’ve been voting and following politics since I was 18 years old,” said 78-year old Balvir Singh, who had come to cast his vote at a polling station in Rohini with his 75-year-old wife. “I do some counselling work for prisoners and even they want to improve themselves,” he chuckled, before being helped over the stairs by his wife.
“I will tell you what has changed over the years. Earlier, a lorry by some political party would bring us to the polling stations, but now I have to walk even if I am on crutches,” said 90-year-old Rajouri Devi, laughing and coughing at the same time. She had come to cast her vote at a Kanjhawaa polling station with her “young” friend, 73-year old Kapoori Devi.
Three generations of women – daughter, grand-daughter and great grand-daughter – accompanied 90-year old Kalavati to exercise her franchise in the Bawana Assembly segment of North-West Delhi. “I have voted so many times that I have lost count. The atmosphere of election has not changed a bit. I don’t know if I will be there for the next election, so I had to make the effort and vote now that I have a chance,” she said.
Satellite towns like Ghaziabad also had its fair share of senior citizens coming out to exercise their franchise. An enthusiastic 100-year-old Raj Shankar was accompanied by his two sons to cast his vote at Indirapuram. “I have lived a good life and I want my grandchildren also to have a good future, so I voted,” Mr. Shankar said, adding that he wanted the formation of a strong government at the Centre.
(With inputs from Kritika Sharma)
