Girish Gogia became 90 per cent paralysed after a diving accident in Goa. Today, this Mumbai resident is a wheelchair user, but has never missed an opportunity to vote, being carried by a team of people to the poll booth
It was a Thursday morning with a difference at the usually bustling Lokhandwala complex yesterday. One could sense that the atmosphere was heavy with expectation and responsibility.
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It was a mood of reflection and introspection as India’s commercial nerve centre searched its soul as it went to the polls.
Since I am a wheelchair user, I had somebody take me to the centre, after which I was whisked off to the booth. I did not have to wait in any queue and I almost felt like a Very Very Important Person (VVIP).
Girish Gogia is mid-day’s election ambassador
I cannot move my hands but if I could, I may have even waved cheekily at the people who were gaping at me.
The volunteers at the polling booth were very cooperative and they allowed my father to press the button on my behalf as my fingers do not work.
Numbers may prove me wrong but I saw a positive change in the attitude of people and also a surge in the number of voters.
People definitely are more aware of their duty and willing to leave their comfort zone. I saw a couple of first-time voters as well, who seemed well-informed and excited.
In the end, I want to say ‘well done’ to all those who voted. To those who did not even if they could, I simply ask why. I hope my experience as a voter on a wheelchair will shame them.
On the whole, I carried back a sense of satisfaction from the entire experience. My finger is inked though I cannot move it. I had the ink-lination, and so should you.
If he can, why can’t you? Vote!
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