Right here,right now!

Back home,in Chandigarh,18-year-old Aayush Raj Soni cut short his vacation in Aligarh and boarded the first train to Chandigarh “because I have to vote”. This first-time voter is eager to show off the indelible ink mark on his finger on Wednesday. One of the most important days of his life,Soni will be flaunting his voter status on Facebook as well.

Delhi-based Gaurav Kataria,meanwhile,adjusted his holiday just to fit in May 13. “I was supposed to arrive in Chandigarh on Friday,but as the voting takes place on the 13th,I preponed it,” tells Kataria. While he’s still searching for his name on the voters’ list,a couple of other Chandigarhians have also set on a journey to home to be in time to cast their precious vote.

Twenty-three-year-old musician-cum-writer Saahil Kapoor cleared his schedule and flew from Mumbai to meet this top priority. “These elections are very important for they will either take us forward or backward,” says this first-time voter compensating for the time lost during the last elections.

Clear majority is still debatable. A hung Parliament,another coalition,hectic lobbying,horse-trading — speculations run high this time,and voters are keen on how a new government will be formed.

“Which makes it all the more important to vote,” comments businessman Atul Mahajan who timed his honeymoon keeping May 13th in mind. Mahajan,who has never lost a chance to exercise his right,says: “We have the choice to elect our representative,and irrespective of who wins,it’s a right.” His vote,along with those of his ‘politically-charged family and friends’ is reserved for good,young,intelligent leaders. “It’s our responsibility to vote and choose the right leader,” says Director Sports,Punjab and former Indian hockey captain Pargat Singh’s already in Jalandhar to cast his vote.

Back in city is model-cum-actress Jonita Doda,charged up with awareness drives and wake-up calls. “I credit the vote campaigns for motivating people like me to come forward and participate in this democratic process,” says the actress,in city from Bangalore. Rohit Kuthiala and his wife Priyanka are driving down from Delhi on Tuesday evening and will be at the polling centre first thing in the morning. “It’s a right and a duty,” says Kuthiala who works with the National Geographic channel in Delhi.

The voters’ list may have missed names,and with voting day bang in the middle of the week,a substantial number of residents cannot vote. “I wish they followed Germany’s rule of holding voting on Sunday,” suggests Kataria.

The wheels of change are turning slowly,and we can’t expect a 100 per cent voter turnout,but we can expect passionate voters to make their journey home,just in time.

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