Shadow Correspondent
GANDERBAL, MAY 07:
In order to spread electoral literacy amongst the voters, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Ganderbal in collaboration with the Education Department, Ganderbal today organized an awareness program at Govt. Boys Higher Secondary School, Kullan, Gund.
The event was held under the aegis of J&K Legal Services Authority and also under the insightful directions and overall supervision of Ritesh Kumar Dubey, Chairman DLSA Ganderbal and Secretary DLSA Ganderbal, Nusrat Ali Hakak.
Speaking on the occasion, Nusrat Ali Hakak, Senior Judge/Secretary DLSA Ganderbal, in her presidential address said that the aim of the program is to spread awareness among the masses about the importance of exercising their constitutional right to vote.
She also informed participants to raise further awareness regarding their right to vote as guaranteed under Indian constitution. She said that the age to cast votes has been decreased from 21 years to 18 years so that more and more people participate for the changes they want to see in their country for its betterment.
Chief Education Officer, Ganderbal, Surjeet Kumar Sharma informed the participants about the various initiatives taken by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to increase voter turnout and insisted one and all for their participation. District Nodal officer, SVEEP, Romysa Sangeen highlighted the importance of SVEEP activities in creating awareness about electoral participation and educated students about the importance of voting and their role in the democratic process and asked all particularly females to participate.
Pr. Govt. Boys Hr. Secondary School, Kullan, Mohammad Maqbool Dar, deliberated on the importance of every single vote. The students actively participated in the programme and also pledged to become active voters and encourage others to do the same. Students of various Schools also spoke on the occasion and threw light on the right to vote, in which Ifshana Salam of Govt. Boys Hr. Secondary School, Kulan, Asim Malik of Govt. Boys High Secondary School, Gagnigair and Rabia of Govt. Girls High School, Sonamarg were adjudged first, second and third, respectively.
A painting competition under Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) was also held, as many as 11 students participated in the painting competition in which Faizan Ahmad of Govt. Boys Hr. Secondary School, Kulan, Tasleema Khatoon, of Govt. Boys Hr. Secondary School, Kulan and Amina Bano of Middle School, Balti Kulan, were adjudged first, second and third respectively. Apart from Painting and debate Competition, voter awareness rally under SVEEP campaign was also held and was flagged-off by Secretary, DLSA Ganderbal along with Chief Education Officer, Ganderbal and District Nodal officer, SVEEP.
The Faculty members, along with hundreds of students of school and local women participated in the rally, which began from School premises and culminated at Zirpora Kulan.
The students of the School and local women raised Electoral Literacy related slogans. The objective of the awareness rally was to encourage the general public to vote in upcoming Lok Sabha Elections in large numbers, motivate the young voters to participate in the electoral process without any hesitation and ensure maximum voter turnout to help in strengthening the core values of Indian democracy.
The programme was also attended by CDPO, Kangan, Shahzada, Faculty members of School, Anganwadi and Aaya Workers, Students, Local women, etc.
