Owais Gul
Srinagar, May 13 : Amidst the election fervor, the three siblings in the hilly Fakeer Gujri area of Harwan here were enthusiastic to cast their ballots for the first time in their life.
As per news agency, the three siblings, who got eligible for the first time vote, turned up at the polling station 9-Fakeer Gujri, 19 Assembly Segment Hazratbal.
The three siblings Sahil Ahmad (26), Shahnawaz (23) and Mumtaz Ahmad (20) were standing in the large queue at Fakeer Gujri, waiting for their turn to cast their vote. The trio stated that they are voting for the first time with an aim to ensure a change on the ground.
“We are voting for a change. We are voting for the employment, electricity crisis including the hike in the monthly tariff and other related things like roads and water,” said the trio.
“We woke up in the morning with excitement as it was for the first time that we are exercising the franchise. There are multiple things in our mind, which include the education, development of roads and the locality alike,” Sahil said, adding that such is the situation in their locality that a teacher, who was teaching at a Government School here in 2001 is still deputed there. “There is no change from 2001 to 2024. At least the students living in these areas deserve an equal education,” Ahmad said.
Mumtaz and Shahnawaz echoed the similar views, saying that though the condition of the schools has witnessed an improvement, the quality education has taken a hit. “We are out today to vote with an aim to ensure that the change takes place. It is not only about schools, the conditions of the health facility here is also the same as only one doctor, who comes from a far-off area. Maximum of times, we are being forced to visit other hospitals,” they said.
Besides the three siblings, the first time voters in the area were quite enthusiastic for casting the ballots. They say the vote is for change and development only. “Since this election is not meant for electing Jammu & Kashmir’s own government, but we are pinning a hope that a candidate, who will emerge victorious in today’s elections, will at least listen to our pleas and redress our grievances,” Muzamil Ahmad, another first time voter said.
