At Polling Station, 55-Awantipora of Pulwama district, first time voter Umar Ayoub was very enthusiastic to caste his vote. “I came to vote with a reason to celebrate the spirit of democracy. My vote will be for the development and progress in terms of basic needs”, said passionate Umar while standing in a long and serpentine queue.
Similarly, in Polling station Sher Abad Tral, 92 years old Zaiba Begum came to vote to with the only hope of having better future for her grandchildren. “I am voting with an aim to see development in my area for the betterment of our future generations”, said elderly Zaiba Begum.
Likewise, in Koil, Bunroo, Rajpura, Nikas areas of Pulwama district as well as Tukroo, Bun Bazar and other areas of Shopian Assembly segment witnessed brisk polling as long and serpentine queues of voters, both male and female, were seen from the early morning.
The significance of this turnout extends beyond the confines of Pulwama and Shopian. As the sun sets over the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, casting a golden glow over the lush valleys below, the people of Pulwama and Shopian can take pride in their actions. They have shown the world that even in the face of adversity, the flame of democracy burns bright in the Kashmir Valley, illuminating the path towards a brighter tomorrow.
Similar, scenes were witnessed in Kangan, ST Assembly segment of Ganderbal district which forms part Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency. The people of the area once again reposed trust in democracy by exercising their right to franchise in large numbers.
The people of this area despite living in the remotest part of the Constituency showed way by coming out in large numbers to vote. Not only elders but younger as well as first time voters even exercised their voting rights with full enthusiasm. Be it 20 years old Rahil or 19 years Arif at Nunner Polling Station or Iqra Sultan, 25 at Wussan all were equally jubilant in casting their votes as per their free will.
Similarly at the far-off Wangat Polling Station, Noor-un-Nisa, 18 and Ruksana, 20 had come for casting their votes with other members of their family in the wee hours of the Polling in their village. In another Polling Station of this village housed in a Middle School, young friends Adil Qureshi, 25 and Ibrahim Qureshi, 23 had come together to take first leap in celebrating the spirit of democracy.
The locals of the area believe that by exercising their right to choose their representatives is only for their larger good of entire area as well as future generations. The locals, this time again participated in the festival of democracy with great enthusiasm and fervor despite having difficult terrains and other adversities.