More than a half dozen centenarians in Uttarakhand cast their ballot

DEHRADUN: Among the 68% voters who exercised their franchise in the

state assembly elections

on Wednesday were also half a dozen centenarians who defied all odds to reach the polling stations. Active participation from these elderly residents not only inspired others who were waiting in queues to cast their votes but also spoke tonnes about their centenarians’ enthusiasm in striving towards a better democracy. According to sources, the eldest of the over 100-year-olds was a 111-year-old man in Bageshwar district.

Wearing a cap that read ‘cast your vote’, 107-year-old Bhan Singh was carried to the polling booth in Uttarkashi by his family members. “To save democracy, we should cast our votes. It will make a difference,” he said.

Ganga Prasad Bahuguna

, 105, from Mussoorie was a returning officer and has seen several elections during his lifetime but he would not miss them at any cost. “Politics might have changed over the years but I still want to do my bit,” Bahuguna said.

While 103-year-old Umri Devi from Sahaspur in Dehradun was carried to the booth on a wheelchair, Ram Chandra Gupta, 104, from Niranjanpur was assisted by his grandchildren. “Voting is one of the finest ways to nurture democracy,” said Gupta.

Another 102-year-old woman Purna Devi from Boradi was carried on a palki and then a car to reach a booth at the New Tehri Government Girls’ Inter College. “Everyone should cast their votes irrespective of their ages and health issues. Families should also be responsible and take the elderly to the polling booths.” she said.