PM urges personalities from various fields to encourage people to vote in large numbers
New Delhi: Describing voting as a "prime" duty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday urged personalities, including Pranab Mukherjee, Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Ratan Tata and P V Sindhu, to encourage people to exercise their franchise in the Lok Sabha elections beginning April 11.
In a series of tweets and a blog post, he said voting is among a citizen's prime duties.
"A vote signifies the willingness to contribute to the development trajectory of the nation. By voting, people connect themselves with the country's dreams and aspirations," he wrote.
He tagged personalities from a cross-section of society, including politics, industry, media, films, sports and social work, to drive home his point.
"I appeal to @RahulGandhi, @MamataOfficial, @PawarSpeaks, @Mayawati, @yadavakhilesh, @yadavtejashwi and @mkstalin to encourage increased voter participation in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. A high turnout augurs well for our democratic fabric," Modi wrote on his personal Twitter handle.
In another tweet, he urged film personalities such as Mohan Lal and Nagarjuna Akkineni to create greater voter awareness.
"Your performances have entertained millions over the years and you have also won many awards. I request you to create greater voter awareness and urge people to vote in large numbers," he said.
The prime minister said not voting should create "anguish" amongst people who do not turn up at poling stations.
"Would you want a situation where something happens in the country that you disapprove of and you are forced to think - because I did not go vote that day, this unfortunate situation has arisen and the nation is suffering," he wrote on his blog on Wednesday.
He also shared a link where people can register as voters.
The 2019 elections, Modi said, are special because for the first time those born in the 21st century will be able to cast their votes.
"I hope all eligible youngsters who have not registered to vote will do so and enrich our democracy by voting," he said.
Tagging several media personalities and institutions, including Vineet Jain, Sanjay Gupta, Aroon Purie, and Press Trust of India and ANI news agencies, he said the media plays a vital role in a democracy and has a strong influence on people's minds.
"I request @Sanjaygupta0702, @aroonpurie and @18RahulJoshi to work towards greater voter awareness and registration that ensures an impressive turnout at the hustings."
As leading public voices associated with important platforms, your support on voter awareness will be valuable and beneficial for 130 crore Indians," Modi tweeted.
He said a higher voting means a stronger democracy and a stronger democracy means a developed India
"The last few elections, in various states and at the Centre, have witnessed record turnout. Continuing this encouraging trend, I urge my fellow Indians to vote in record numbers in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections," he wrote in his blog.
He called upon "influencers from all fields, including politics, industry, sports, films and other walks of life" to take the lead in spreading voter awareness and value of high voting.
The prime minister expressed the hope that the upcoming elections will witness the highest ever turnout in the history of Indian elections.
Urging @SrBachchan, @iamsrk and @karanjohar to creatively ensure high voter awareness and participation in the coming elections.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2019
Because...its all about loving your democracy (and strengthening it). :)
I call upon veterans of the media world, @RajatSharmaLive, @subhashchandra and @vineetjaintimes to take the lead in highlighting the need to vote in large numbers. Doing so would ensure greater participation in democratic processes and strengthen our nation's development.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2019
Dear @msdhoni, @imVkohli and @ImRo45,
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2019
You are always setting outstanding records on the cricketing field but this time, do inspire the 130 crore people of India to set a new record of high voter turnout in the upcoming elections.
When this happens, democracy will be the winner!
I appeal to @RubikaLiyaquat, @anjanaomkashyap, @sudhirchaudhary, @rahulkanwal and the team of @republic to spread awareness on voter registration, and why every Indian, particularly the youth should vote.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2019
Your support can ensure more people exercise their franchise.
The prolific Phogat sisters, @geeta_phogat, @BabitaPhogat, @PhogatRitu and @Phogat_Vinesh manifest the best of Indian sporting talent.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2019
We've seen you in the wrestling world.
I urge you all to support the movement to ensure greater voter participation in the 'Chunavi Dangal.'
When @mangeshkarlata Didi, @sachin_rt and @arrahman say something, the nation takes note!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2019
I humbly request these remarkable personalities to inspire more citizens to come out and vote in the 2019 elections.
A vote is a great way to make the people's voice heard.
Respected @CitiznMukherjee,
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 13, 2019
Being among India's most prolific statesmen and someone who has been active in politics for decades, you would understand the power of a vote. I request you to appeal to the people to enrich the festival of democracy by participating in large numbers.
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Two injuries, one DNF, a DQ as India end messy World Relays campaign
Gaborone (Botswana) (PTI): Amoj Jacob and Ragul Kumar got injured during the men's 4x400m and 4x100 races respectively as India ended their World Athletics Relays campaign in disappointment on the second day of competitions here on Sunday.
The Indian camp had high hopes of making the 2027 World Championships in the men's 4x400m relay but the team did not finish (DNF) the race as Jacob suffered cramps and pulled out of the race after taking the baton from the first leg runner Dharamveer Choudhary. Rajesh Ramesh and Vishal TK were to run in the third and fourth legs.
Those teams which could not qualify for the 2027 Beijing World Championships by reaching the final round of each of the six relay events on Saturday were given another chance in the second qualification round on Sunday.
The top two teams in each of the two heats (in all six relay events) booked the Beijing ticket on Sunday.
India will now have to try and qualify for the World Championships through the Top Lists of the World Athletics, which is a long and tedious process.
In the men's 4x100m race, third leg runner Ragul Kumar fell down the track after failing to hand over the baton inside the exchange zone to fourth leg runner Gurindervir Singh, which clearly showed the lack of coordination among the runners.
Harsh Santosh Raut and Animesh Kujur ran the first two legs.
The Indian quartet was disqualified and Kumar was seen being taken away from the Field of Play with the help of the volunteers.
It was a comedy of errors in the case of the women's 4x100m race, which saw the baton being dropped during an exchange between first leg runner Tamanna and second runner Nithya Gandhe, though the Indians finished the race in 53.09 seconds.
Gandhe started running quite a distance, but after realising that the baton was not in her hand, she turned and ran back to pick it up.
The only silver-lining for the Indian contingent was the national record time in the mixed 4x100m relay race, though the quartet of Ragul Kumar, Nithya Gandhe, Animesh Kujur and Sneha SS finished sixth in heat number two with a time of 41.35 seconds, bettering the previous national mark of 42.30 seconds set in March in Chandigarh.
The mixed 4x400m relay quartet of Theerthesh P Shetty, Kumari Saloni, Nihal William and Rashdeep Kaur ended at fifth in heat number one with a time of 3 minutes and 19.40 seconds.
On Saturday, all the five Indian relay teams had failed to make it to the respective final rounds and thus missed out on the 2027 World Championships berths.
