Lok Sabha elections 2024: ‘If we can vote, what stops you?’

Bakabai Ade, 70, Shyamabhai Mhatre, 72, and Bhayabhai Mhatre, 70, from Kushtarog Niwaran Samiti, Shantivan, at Panvel who have said they will vote. Pic/Atul Kamble

Abandoned by family and society, the inmates of Kushtarog Niwaran Samiti, Shantivan at Panvel never miss the opportunity to do their duty to the society. Their commitment to vote is laudable as the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections has recorded a low turnout. "If we can step out, why can't you", seems to be the slogan of the patients, who by promising to come out and vote are setting an example and urging those who are unwilling to cast their ballot during this election.

Over 85 leprosy patients are amongst the 200 plus destitute and aged inmates living and being treated at Kushtarog Niwaran Samiti, Shantivan, Nere, managed by an NGO, located 8 km from Panvel railway station on Panvel-Matheran Road.

Hospitalised for last five months Ganpat Gadhe, 69, will vote. Pics/Atul Kamble

An individual's vote is precious and it should not be wasted, say the three close friends at Shantivan - Bakabai Ade, 70 from Yevatmal, Shyamabai Mhatre, 72, and Bhayabai Mhatre, 70, both from Panvel district. Being inmates of Shantivan for three to four decades they share a special bond with each other. All three arrived in Shantivan when they were young and were abandoned by their family and society.

"One of my children was merely two-and-half-year-old, when I was diagnosed with leprosy. My husband brought me here, on the behest of getting me treatment and promised to return soon, but never returned. My toes are deformed and fingers do not have much sensation even today, but I am cured of leprosy. I have completed the course," said Bhayabai Mhatre. With Shantivan becoming her home, it helped her gradually overcome her maternal attachments.

Pundlik Gore, 82 and his wife Janku, 77

Residing as a couple at Shantivan are Pundlik Gore, 82, and his wife Janku, 77. Gore was mere eight years old when he was diagnosed with leprosy and he was forced to stay at various leprosy centers including Baba Amte's Anandwan. The couple has never missed to vote in any elections. They both are eager to vote on Monday, May 13, in the fourth phase of the elections.

‘Political party symbols look familiar but faces have changed'

All the elderly members this paper spoke to said they do not know the leaders or their political parties but can identify the party symbols which they had voted in the past. "Earlier we could associate the faces to the party symbol, but not anymore. We have been watching the television every evening and can associate Modi and his party symbol, similarly can associate the bow and arrow to the party, but their candidates have never visited or met us. However, we are eagerly looking to vote on May 13," said an elderly inmate.

As a ward boy Namdeo Kadam, 50, finds peace in dressing patients

Meanwhile at the ward….

Ganpat Gadhe, 69, who hails from Poyenje in Panvel, is being treated at the hospital in Shantivan for the last five months. When asked if he would vote on May 13, he replied in affirmative and said, "I have been regular to vote and will do it this time too."

Refusing to divulge his favourite leader or political party, he said: "You should not disclose to anyone, the leader or political party, you will vote for. But everyone should vote, this is our democratic right."

Namdeo Kadam, 50, used to work as a mason at a building construction site and it was almost over two decades ago he was diagnosed with leprosy and was on medication. He survived the disease with a deformed toes and fingers. Kadam said he would not miss an opportunity to vote.

Special arrangements made

According to advocate Pramod Thakur, chairman of Kushtarog Niwaran Samiti, Shantivan, said, "We have made special arrangements to transport the in-house elderly persons and those in the wards to the polling centres close to our ashram. They will leave at 7 am, when the rush will be less and will be then brought back to the centre, after they have cast their votes."

He said there are no attempts made by the management to influence the inmates in their voting. "We as an institution never get involved with any political party and we have patients coming from different caste, creed and faith, they all have their own understanding and perceptions and we as an institution have always believed that voting should be done without fear and favour, it is a democratic right of every citizen of our country and we should be proud to participate in the election process by voting and elections are actually a way of celebrating the democracy."

Similar views were shared by Santosh Thakur of Gram Sanvardhan Samajik Sanstha, an NGO, "This institution (Shantivan) has continued to serve mankind and humanity by providing them a ray of hope for living with dignity and respect. Those who have been staying here in Shantivan, for past so many decades, would have had nowhere to go, had it not been for this institution. This institution follows the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, Vinoba Bhave, Baba Amte and many others who did selfless social work to uplift and support the down trodden people, to fight leprosy."

200
No. of inmates at the facility