Days After Voting For The 34th Time, India's First Voter Shyam Saran Negi, Passes Away At 106
Shyam Saran Negi, the first voter of independent India, passed away at his native village of Kalpa in Himachal Pradesh on Saturday, his family said. He was 106 years old.
Negi died just three days after casting his vote for the 34th time, on Wednesday for the upcoming Assembly polls in Himachal Pradesh.
Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq said Negi will be cremated with full state honours.
How?Shyam Saran Negi became India's first voter
A retired school teacher, Negi etched his name in India's democratic history by becoming the first person to cast his vote in the first-ever general election in India in 1951-1952.
In 1951, Negi was on election duty and had exercised his franchise in Chini constituency, later renamed Kinnaur.
Back then, voting in the snow-bound areas of the mountain state was held ahead of other places in the country.
Thus he became the first ever person to vote in independent India.
Never missed a vote
Since then, Negi had never missed a vote and had exercised his franchise 34 times. He was also made a state election icon in 2014.
"I have never missed an opportunity to cast my vote since India got its Independence in 1947, and I am happy to vote this time too," Negi had said on Wednesday.
District Election Officer cum Deputy Commissioner Abid Hussain Sadiq said that on Wednesday, a red carpet was laid to bring him to the postal booth set up in the compound of his house.
Negi was brought on the red carpet to the booth where he exercised his right to franchise.
A firm believer in democracy?
The centenarian was a firm believer in democracy till his last days.
On Wednesday, Negi told the state youngsters to come out and exercise their franchise in the upcoming elections after casting his vote.
"The young voters should consider their duty to vote and contribute in strengthening the Nation," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Wednesday praised Negi for exercising his right to franchise.
"This is commendable and should serve as an inspiration for the younger voters to take part in the elections and strengthen our democracy," PM Modi said on Twitter.
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