The indelible ink on the left forefinger may fade away, but the memory of casting one’s first vote rarely does.
Vyshak Nath C.A., a first-time voter in the Vattiyurkavu segment, says he is proud to have taken part in the democratic process. Becoming a “complete citizen” is how he terms the experience.
Varsha Vijayan, a voter in the Kazhakuttam segment, too is excited, especially because she almost did not get to vote as her name was not on the list initially.
Vysakh, who is doing his Electronics (dual degree) at Indian Institute of Information Technology Design and Manufacturing, Chennai, says his choice is dictated by the candidates fielded by the parties. His family too votes on the same pattern. Whom to vote for is the choice of an individual. And his vote will be for someone who can emerge a leader, he says.
A first-year student of BA Journalism at Mar Ivanios College, Varsha comes from a political family, her father having been a councillor. Yet, she does not see herself as political, and feels that as she gains more maturity, she will be able to take a more informed decision.
She is sure though that her vote matters. “Initially, I wondered if someone would lose if I voted for them or if I didn’t vote for them. Then I started thinking it doesn’t mean much as it would mean only one vote less if I didn’t vote. But after exercising my right to franchise, those feelings have gone. I feel proud now of having voted.”
Though his peer group is not politically active, Vysakh does not think that they are disenchanted with democracy and politics. “In fact, this generation is very interested in the voting process,” he says.
He says he is not impervious to the contradiction between his beliefs and those of the parties, especially when they come to power.
What he is looking from the next government is sustainable development.
Technological advancements and focus on preserving the State’s culture are his other concerns.
Varsha says her wish list for the new government includes improved focus on women’s issues, especially their safety. Instead of mere tokenism, the State needs to do more, she says.
On the development front, she says parties come to power and take up projects that are supposed to deliver benefits but they end up adversely affecting a large number of people. So, attempts should be to ensure that development does not come at a huge cost, and make some unhappy.
