Senior-most voter in Erode district T. Rathnasamy of Anthiyur taluk, who is 104 years old as per official records, has not missed to fulfil his democratic right even once so far, according to family members.
On Monday, Mr. Rathnasamy took along his wife Pachiammal to a booth for choosing the candidate for Anthiyur Assembly segment. The couple was the cynosure of all eyes at the booth. They proudly displayed the ink on their fingers after casting votes.
The centenarian had lost his hearing capacity long back, but still walks on his own. Earlier this year, District Collector S. Prabakar called on Mr. Rathnasamy at his residence and honoured him with a shawl.
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It was a chance meeting, in fact. The Collector, while going through the draft rolls during a routine inspection at Anthiyur Taluk Office, was eager to meet the oldest voter instantly and went straight to his house.
Mr. Rathnasamy’s family members had told the Collector about the strong faith the centenarian had instilled in them in the institution of democracy.