National Voters’ Day observed in Moodubelle and Kattingeri

By Eugene and Anil Alva
Bellevision media Network

Moodubelle, 25 January 2011: As 25th January marks the foundation day of the Election commission of India, millions of youth are being enrolled in the voters’ list across the country during the annual roll revision programme every January. It is earnestly believed that youth should involve themselves in the electoral process to strengthen democracy. In view of this, from this year (2011) 25th January is being celebrated as the National Voters’ Day throughout the country. First time voters are being given EPIC on this day at their polling stations. The slogan for the maiden national Voters’ Day observation is “Greater Participation fro a Stronger Democracy”.

 

 

The National Voters’ Day was observed at the Belle Grama Panchayat Office and Kattingeri on Tuesday, 25th January 2011 at 10.30 am. At the Belle Grama Panchayat Office the programme was presided over by the President of the Grama Panchayat, Mrs. Jacintha Aranha. Peter Raphael  Aranha, Headmaster of Church Aided Higher Primary School explained the importance of the National Voters’ Day and the need for the youth to participate in the election process to strengthen democracy in the country.  The programme was attended by the members of the Belle Grama Panchayat-A.G. D’Souza, Rajendra Shetty and former president of Belle Grama Panchayat-Shashidhar Wagle. Twenty one EPIC cards were distributed during the programme.

 

At Kattingeri, the National  Voters’ Day was observed in the Anganawadi  building. Sylvester Mathias, teacher in the Church Aided Higher Primary School and Booth  Level Officer conducted the programme. Gerald Fernandes, the outgoing member of the Udupi Zilla Panchayat, Devdas Hebbar-newly elected member of the Udupi Taluk Panchayat, Ranjani Hegde and Shankar Devadiga-members of the Belle Grama Panchayat were present for the programme.

 

Sylvester Mathais in his introductory remarks explained the importance of the National Voters’ day  and highlighted why the young people should enroll themselves in the voters’ list. He explained how he had to persuade young people and those whose names were not included in the list to enroll themselves.

 

 

The first National Voters’ Day programme was formally inaugurated  by lighting the lamp. Seventeen EPIC cards were distributed to the first time voters.  This was followed by administration of ‘Voters’ Pledge’. Devdas Hebbar and Gerald Fernandes speaking at this occasion emphasized on the fact that the voting percentage has been quite good in the villages rather than in the towns and cities. However, they said that more and more people should get themselves enrolled in the voters’ list and participate in the electoral process to strengthen Indian democracy.