Yashodhar Bangera
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, May 30: One has often see voters, especially the aged, take great pains in order to exercise their franchise. The aged or physically challenged persons being helped by family members are usually the focus of media attention on polling day in any election, for they epitomise the spirit of democracy which ought to be emulated.
A polling booth at Kemar school near Moodbidri was a fine example of this spirit. The person was not aged, but what was special about him was that he came to the polling booth in an ambulance to cast his vote!
The man was Umesh Poojary (38) from Margada Mane in Mundrudeguttu, who turned paraplegic after falling down from a tree a year back.
It is learnt that Amit D'Silva, who owns Loyola Ambulance Service at Moodbidri asked Umesh on Friday about exercising his franchise. Umesh said he was interested to cast his vote, but he was helpless as he is unable to move about. Amit brought him with help from some locals in his ambulance at around 2.30 pm on Friday and helped him to cast his vote.
Meanwhile, Jayanti from Kolakeeru in Goltamajalu village in Bantwal taluk was to marry on Friday afternoon in a hall at Aladangady. She rode to the polling booth in a decorated wedding car, accompanied by guests. She then stood in the queue, and proceeded to the marriage hall accompanied by her entourage after voting for the candidate of her choice.
In another incident, Balakrishna from Nidpalli village in Puttur taluk cast his vote in the afternoon session after his marriage was solemnized. His marriage was held at Bettampady temple in Puttur taluk. When coming to the both, he was in full wedding gear complete with flower garland and bedecked headgear.
Ibrahim Haji Bollady (94) from Puttur, and Aisamma (105) from Shekamale in Ariyadka village in Puttur taluk, overcame problems posed by old age, and arrived at polling booths at their respective booths.
Muthu Shedthi (102) came to the polling both near Daregudde gram panchayat to cast her vote. In spite of nagging leg pain, Lawrence (87), and his wife, Eliza Mendonca (83), exercised their franchise at Hosabettu with the help of their son. Thomas Pereira (83) arrived at Mt Carmel Scool at Shirtady accompanied by his son, to vote for the candidate of his choice.