Negi, who first voted in 1952, even solid his postal poll vote for the November 12 Meeting elections two days in the past.
Police personnel pay respects to Impartial India’s first voter Shyam Saran Negi throughout his funeral, at Kalpa in Kinnaur district, Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (PTI)
Throughout India’s first common elections in 1951-’52, polling in Kinnaur was held a number of months earlier than the remainder of the nation due to geographical causes. The district being a high-altitude area, snowfall would have made the train tough through the winter. Negi, then 34 years previous, solid his vote at Kalpa and have become the primary voter in free India. Born on July 1, 1917, Negi claimed he voted in each parliamentary, Meeting and panchayat election.
Negi was mourned throughout get together strains for being a real consultant of Indian democracy. Amongst those that expressed his condolences was Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “I used to be coming from Delhi once I got here to know in regards to the unlucky dying of Shyam Saran Negi. He even voted in these elections. He fulfilled his accountability until the tip. This can be a message to all of the youth and it’s inspirational. I salute him and categorical my heartfelt condolences to the household,” Modi mentioned ins his handle at a public assembly in Solan.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur expressed condolences and identified that the centenarian had solid his vote for the thirty fourth time, fulfilling his accountability as a citizen.
The Congress hailed Negi as “Himachal ka Lal (Himachal’s favorite son)”. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge tweeted in Hindi, “The perfect instance of his unwavering devotion in the direction of democracy is that he solid his vote for the thirty fourth time on November 2. My condolences to the departed soul.”
Congress chief Rahul Gandhi tweeted, “He noticed Impartial India take its first breath and until his final breath he believed in democracy. He’ll at all times remind us of our obligation in the direction of the nation.”
आज़ाद भारत के पहले मतदाता, श्याम सरन नेगी जी का निधन एक दुःखद समाचार है।
उन्होंने देश को स्वतंत्र आसमान में पहली सांस लेते देखा था, और अपनी आख़िरी सांस तक लोकतंत्र की डोर को थामे रखा।
नेगी जी हमें सदा देश के प्रति हमारे दायित्व की याद दिलाएंगे। pic.twitter.com/zYsjRaygyi
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 5, 2022
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra mentioned Negi gave a novel instance of his obligation in the direction of democracy by voting in each election.
The Election Fee of India (ECI) additionally expressed condolence on Negi’s demise. Chief Election Commissioner Rajeev Kumar visited Negi’s home on Saturday and paid floral tributes to Negi for his dedication to voting. “Not simply first voter of Impartial India, however a person with distinctive religion in democracy. ECI mourns the demise of Shri Shyam Saran Negi. We’re eternally grateful for his service to the Nation,” the ballot panel tweeted on Saturday.
State Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg mentioned, “Shyam Saran Negi, who was a state election icon, motivated generations of voters for exercising their proper to franchise for strengthening the democratic setup. He was a noble human being.”
Negi was featured in a number of consciousness campaigns throughout his lifetime. Throughout the 2014 elections, Google made a video that includes Negi for its “Pledge to Vote” marketing campaign.
Negi was a college trainer and spent his total life in Kalpa. After virtually 45 years, the ECI in 2007, traced Negi in his residence district following which his feat grew to become broadly common. Since then, the EC honoured him and a purple carpet was laid out by the native administration each time he voted.
As a result of his age, Negi couldn’t make it to the polling station this yr and his vote was solid utilizing a postal poll three days in the past. “Being right here, nothing makes me happier … one of the best individual needs to be given assist,” he instructed the media in a gradual voice.