Independent India's first voter Shyam Saran Negi, 97, along with his wife Hira Mani, 87, cast their vote in Kalpa model polling station of tribal district Kinnaur at 9 am. He is a voter of Mandi parliamentary segment.
The couple walked to the polling booth set-up a kilometre away from their house.
Negi has never missed the chance to exercise his franchise since he voted for the first time in October 25, 1951. Negi also appealed other people to cast their vote terming it as the biggest right given by the Indian constitution.
Earlier, Shyam Saran said when he voted for the first time he was first voter to enter the booth. “After exercising my franchise I used to proudly tell my family that I have cast my vote.”
Earlier, Shyam Saran said when he voted for the first time he was first voter to enter the booth. “After exercising my franchise I used to proudly tell my family that I have cast my vote.”
Deputy commissioner Kinnaur DD Sharma who honored Negi and his wife at model polling station Kalpa said Negi has never missed to cast his vote and even encouraged others to do so.
Shyam Saran was 34 when he exercised his franchise for the first time. He retired as a school teacher in 1975.