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JALANDHAR -
Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Sarangal on Thursday exhorted the youngsters to participate in the biggest festival of democracy that is elections by becoming voters and exercising their franchise judiciously to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.
Mr. Sarangal was addressing the gathering here at the local HMV college during the 14th National Voters' Day event wherein he emphasized people's participation in election for the growth and development of the entire nation.
Accompanied by Additional Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh, Additional Chief Administrator JDA Darbara Singh, SDM Balbir Raj Singh, and Principal HMV College Dr. Ajay Sareen, the DC said that maximum participation of voters in the democratic process is the key to the formation of a good government.
Mr. Sarangal said that thrust must be laid on sensitizing the people, especially the youngsters, about the need to exercise their franchise by rising above the parochial considerations of caste, colour, creed, or sex. He categorically said that strengthening democracy at the grassroots level was a mammoth task and youth must contribute enormously in this national service.
He further pointed out that there are countries where people are ruled by dictatorship and no elections are held.
He said adding that we are fortunate to have a democratic setup wherein we get the opportunity to elect our government; hence we must understand the value of our voting rights.
He also highlighted urban apathy as one of the key reasons for low polling and appealed to voters especially youngsters to participate in elections in huge numbers.
The Deputy Commissioner said that fool proof voter lists were the very basis of democratic process and were in fact criteria for assessing the performance of a democratic nation.
He said that Election Commission of India (ECI) has successfully played the role of formulating and revising the electoral rolls time and again, without any obstacle due to which many advanced and developing nations were replicating India’s model of democracy.
The Deputy Commissioner said that celebration of national Voter’s day has its own significance as it has assured more and more participation of youth in democratic process. He also distributed the EPIC cards among first time voters while urging them to participate in elections to further strengthening our democratic set up.
On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner administered the pledge of ethical voting during the polls. He also felicitated the officers for meritorious service in voter awareness besides the students who performed excellently in competitions held for creating awareness about voting rights. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner also highlighted major initiatives of the Election Commission of India including the KYC App, and NVSP portal among others.
Students from HMV College presented Nukkad Natak and choreography to promote ethical voting.
Earlier, the Principal of the college Dr. Ajay Sareen welcomed the Deputy Commissioner and other dignitaries to the college.
Prominent amongst those present on the occasion included Election Tehsildar Sukhdev Singh, Assistant Nodal Officer SVEEP Ashoke Sahota, Election Kanungo Rakesh Arora, and others.