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

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 ldquoIf we can step out why canrsquot yourdquo 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 electionOver 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 PanvelMatheran RoadHospitalised for last five months Ganpat Gadhe 69 will vote PicsAtul KambleAn individualrsquos vote is precious and it should not be wasted say the three close friends at Shantivanmdash 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 societyldquoOne of my children was merely twoandhalfyearold 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 courserdquo said Bhayabai Mhatre With Shantivan becoming her home it helped her gradually overcome her maternal attachmentsPundlik Gore 82 and his wife Janku 77Residing 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 Amtersquos 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 electionslsquoPolitical party symbols look familiar but faces have changedrsquoAll 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 ldquoEarlier 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 13rdquo said an elderly inmateAs a ward boy Namdeo Kadam 50 finds peace in dressing patientsMeanwhile at the wardhellipGanpat 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 ldquoI have been regular to vote and will do it this time toordquoRefusing to divulge his favourite leader or political party he said ldquoYou should not disclose to anyone the leader or political party you will vote for But everyone should vote this is our democratic rightrdquoNamdeo 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 voteSpecial arrangements made According to advocate Pramod Thakur chairman of Kushtarog Niwaran Samiti Shantivan said ldquoWe have made special arrangements to transport the inhouse 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 votesrdquoHe said there are no attempts made by the management to influence the inmates in their voting ldquoWe 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 democracyrdquoSimilar views were shared by Santosh Thakur of Gram Sanvardhan Samajik Sanstha an NGO ldquoThis 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 leprosyrdquo200No of inmates at the facility