Disabled voters brave barriers and reach polling booths, setting an example for Mumbai
Mohammed Farooque Ansari, who has lost one leg, arrives at a polling centre in Malwani to exercise his right to vote; Kishore Narayan Vigne, a resident of Malla Pada inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, who lost both legs in a train accident, arrives at the polling centre; Kishore Narayan Vigne being brought to the polling centre on a scooter by his neighbour. Pics/By Special Arrangement
A 35-year-old resident of Malla Pada village, located inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, set an inspiring example of civic responsibility by reaching the polling centre to cast his vote in the ongoing municipal elections — despite losing both legs in a train accident.
Kishore Narayan Vigne, who lost both legs below the waist after falling from a moving local train while returning home from work, arrived at the Nisarg Mahiti Kendra polling centre inside the park. With no public transport or accessibility facilities available from his village, Vigne’s neighbour helped him reach the polling booth by seating him on the front of his Activa scooter. At the centre, police personnel assisted him in a wheelchair so he could cast his vote. Afterwards, his neighbour drove him back home the same way.
Vigne, who lives with his mother in the forested Malla Pada area of Borivli, said, “Our village still lacks basic facilities. We have water but no electricity. Even after elections, leaders don’t fulfil their promises. I hope the new representative will think about us and work for our area.”
Visually impaired voter VN Popli reaches a polling station in Malwani (top) Santosh Pujari, with one leg in plaster after a recent fall, arrives at the centre. Pics/By Special Arrangement
Recalling his accident, Vigne shared, “I was working as a gardener with a Tata company in Dahanu. I was returning home after attending a fair. The local train was overcrowded; I was standing near the door when my boots slipped, and I fell from the moving train. Both my legs had to be amputated in 2000. Even after the accident, I remained conscious and gave the police my name, address, and family details.”
Vigne’s act of courage stood as a reminder to able-bodied citizens hesitant to step out and vote. Elsewhere, in Malwani, other physically challenged voters also turned up to vote. Mohammed Farooque Ansari, who has lost one leg, arrived at his polling centre determined to participate. “Everyone must vote. Even though I have lost a leg, I still came here to vote for Malwani and for my brothers,” he said.
Visually impaired voter VN Popli said, “Whether Malwani improves or not depends on us. As a responsible citizen, I appeal to everyone to vote without discrimination. Malwani needs development.” Another voter, Santosh Pujari, arrived on a walking stand with both legs in plaster after a recent fall. “I came to vote so that whoever gets elected thinks about the Adivasi community. Instead of giving us permanent houses, people talk about uprooting us. My family has lived here for generations. My vote is for the candidate who stands for Adivasi welfare,” Pujari said.
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