I joined the administrative service in 1967 and retired in 2003. During this period I was the Returning Officer for elections a few times and Observer a few other times. Besides I also attended to some other responsibilities entrusted to me by the Election Commission.
During all this period I never voted- neither for the Lok Sabha nor the State Assembly elections. I thought that as a government servant I should be strictly neutral and not prefer one political party over the other. Voting in favour of a candidate, I was convinced, would take away from my strict neutrality even if I did not show any favour to the political party of my preferred candidate. So I did not vote so long as I was in Service.
Three Lok Sabha Elections have taken place after my retirement but it so happened that on the day of voting in these three elections I happened to be abroad.
So today I got up early, got ready and went to the Polling Booth half an hour before the opening time. There was already a queue of about a dozen ladies and gentlemen ahead.
I cast my vote and am feeling empowered.
Mera Bharat Mahan! ....👽Chatrath
