PM Modi pays tribute to independent India's first voter Shyam Saran Negi
Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), November 5: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his condolences to independent India's first voter, Shyam Saran Negi who passed away, and said that Negi will inspire every citizen of the country, especially the youth to perform their duty of casting vote in the elections.
Days after casting his final ballot in the 14th Assembly elections of his home state of Himachal Pradesh, Negi passed away early on Saturday morning in Kalpa.
The Prime Minister recalled the country's first voter and said that he performed his duty of casting a vote before his demise.
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"When I was on my way to Himachal, I got the sad news of the passing away of the first voter of independent India, Shyam Saran Negi, who belonged to Kinnaur. The 106-year-old Negi had cast a vote over 30 times in his entire life. Not only this, but he had also cast his vote on November 2 in the Assembly elections through postal ballot. He performed his duty by casting a vote before his demise. This will always inspire every citizen especially the youth of our country. I bow my head in tribute to him with an emotional heart," the Prime Minister said addressing his first public meeting in the poll-bound state.
Negi was the nation's first voter when he cast his ballot on October 23, 1951, at the Kalpa polling station. On November 2, this year, he cast his 34th and final ballot, an accomplishment that was recognised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"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 tweeted.
Chief Minister Jairam Thakur consoled Negi's demise and said that the memory of the first voter of the country casting his last vote "will always be emotional".
"Saddened to hear the news of the demise of Shyam Saran Negi ji, the first voter of independent India and who belonged to Kinnaur. While performing his duty, he cast his postal vote for the assembly elections for the 34th time on November 2, this memory will always be emotional," Thakur tweeted.
- ANI
