"Youth should come forward to participate in the democratic process as it is not only our right but also our duty to participate in the elections by exercising our franchise"
In the autumnal embrace of 1951, a 34-year-old teacher named Shyam Saran Negi embarked upon a momentous journey at the behest of democracy. October 25th witnessed the humble village of Kalpa (Chini) in the Kinnaur district, under the Mandi- Mahasu Lok Sabha Constituency of Himachal Pradesh playing host to his historic vote, cast resolutely at the Shongthong Polling Station. It was no ordinary ballot; it marked the inception of India's maiden general election. While the rest of the nation had to await the polling booths to open their doors in February 1952, Kinnaur emerged as a trailblazer, due to the forecast of the impending snowfall of February and March.
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| Shyam Saran Negi: Independent India's First Voter |
Nestled under the aegis of the Mandi-Mahasu (now Mandi) Lok Sabha constituency in 1951, Kinnaur found itself in the electoral limelight. The chosen constituency bore witness to the election of Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, a formidable leader who etched her name in history as the inaugural Union Health Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru's interim cabinet, a position she held steadfastly until 1956. In the hallowed halls of Parliament, she orchestrated the introduction of a pivotal bill, one that laid the groundwork for the establishment of the prestigious AIIMS in the heart of Delhi. She was not only India's First Female Cabinet Minister but also First Asian Woman to head of the governing body of the World Health Organisation.
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| Rajkumari Amrit Kaur (2nd From R to L sitting) in Independent India's First Cabinet (30/01/1950) |
In the vibrant tapestry of Indian elections, the tale of Shyam Saran Negi stands out as an inspiring thread. In the electoral saga of Shyam Saran Negi, a steadfast voter who, without faltering, exercised his democratic duty from Panchayat to Parliament, gracing the polling station consistently.
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| Shyam Saran Negi on his way to polling station in 2019 General Election |
Negi's unwavering commitment continued even during Himachal Pradesh's Assembly Election on November 12, 2022. Despite battling ill health, at the age of 105, he ensured his voice was heard through a postal ballot on November 2, 2022, just three days before bidding farewell to this mortal realm. Negi's poignant act epitomizes the essence of democracy, reminding us that every vote counts, regardless of the circumstances. Exulting his legacy which endures as a symbol of resilience and civic duty, Election Commission, in 2014 General Election made him Brand Ambassador in a bid to encourage voting among citizens.
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