Make the mark!

Bishop Valerian D’souza (Bishop of Pune)

My advice to everyone in the city who is eligible to vote is that they should go ahead and cast their ballot. We have a large youth populace,which I think should utilise their right to vote. Personally,I will be at the polling booth by eight am. I have to leave the city for a conference after that but this will not be before I exercise my right as an adult franchise to vote. I also hope that a secular government comes to power,one that will not be afraid to take decisions that will benefit all the people of the city and around the nation on the whole.

Dr R A Mashelkar (Ex director general,CSIR)

In a democracy,the verdict of the people is very important in deciding the future government of the country. So I hope that citizens vote and elect the right candidate. In this matter at least,the city has been lucky,as over the years we have had good candidates who have worked towards the city’s development. On a personal note,I am disappointed that I won’t be able to vote as I am currently in Melbourne,Australia. But in many ways,I am glad that a part of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) will be there on the fingers of all the voters in the form of the ink that is applied on their hands. The ink was developed by the National Physics Laboratory in Delhi,which is a part of CSIR.

Arun Firodiya (Industrialist)

I think we are all educated people in this society and one of the many things that educated people should do is go and cast their vote. I know it sounds typecast with so many movements and agitations around the city urging people to vote,but the fact remains that this is what we have to do,if we want to bring about a change in society. I am going to be one of the first people to queue up to vote because I believe that only by doing my duty as a citizen can I expect something good to happen to this city. One of the main things that I am expecting from any government that comes to power is to get funds for the growth and development of the city,in all spheres –industrial,IT and educational.

Satyapal Singh (Commissioner of Police,Pune City)

I wish to assure all the citizens of Pune that we have taken adequate steps to ensure a calm and hassle-free election. Also,that we will take very strict action against anti-social elements who try to disrupt the election process in the city. It is of prime importance that all citizens exercise their franchise and discharge their duties as citizens of the city. I will definitely be voting in these elections as it is a fundamental duty of every citizen as I have mentioned before. Instead of expecting anything from the government,I hope citizens will start discharging their duties. Also,I hope whichever candidate comes to power,works judiciously towards empowering citizens and helping the police force to curb crime in the city completely.

Lila Poonawala (Industrialist)

The youth of the city must go and vote today. I believe that the youth of the city are the true potential and identity of the city. I honestly hope that people don’t give lame excuses but get up and make a difference this time. As far as I am concerned,I have always made it a point to go early in the morning and vote because I am of the firm opinion that if a change has to be brought about,it has to begin with us. For that,we have to vote and bring the right people into power. If we do not vote we should not crib about anything,be it bad roads or corruption,because then we have ourselves to blame. My expectations from the government,are that they’ll address the real problems of the city like building good infrastructure,controlling inflation and implementing policies that will be beneficial for the industrial community of the city.

S B Mujumdar (Founder,Symbiosis)

Irrespective of who is in the running,people of the city should go and cast their vote. If they feel that a particular candidate will do good for the city and his policies are relevant,then they should vote and bring him to power so that the city prospers. As far as I am concerned,I have been voting ever since I was eligible to vote; I feel proud of the fact that I have a say in the proceedings of the city. I hope whoever comes to power works towards making Pune the national educational capital and brings about a lot of development,as far as the industrial and educational sectors are concerned.