Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Return of natives, They travel 'extra miles' to press button

If you are among those who did not vote citing a lame excuse, then meet the likes of Neeraj Singh, who travelled thousands of kilometres to exercise the right to franchise in Lucknow on Monday.

Neeraj Singh, who works in Dallas, US, made a special trip back to his hometown to cast his ballot at the Prakash Bal Vidya Mandir College polling station in Vishal Khand, Gomtinagar.

"Don't boo, vote, Barack Obama had famously said during US polls. The call stayed with me and I decided to walk extra miles to exercise my right to franchise," said Singh while insisting that democracy thrives when every citizen plays an active role in it.

Sarah Husain, who works in Mumbai, travelled over 1,400km to cast her vote here.

"I vote to ensure that my voice is heard. In a democracy, this is the bare minimum that we should do," said Sarah, 29, who cast her vote at Narahi's Rajkiya Balika Inter College.

Ashwin, 46, is a finance professional, who also travelled from Mumbai to cast his vote at Gurukul Academy in Indiranagar. He shared, "I made the journey from Mumbai, despite the high cost of tickets. Participating in elections in a democracy is an opportunity no one should miss." Siddika Arora, 21, a B Tech student, travelled from Noida to Lucknow just to cast her vote.

"It is significant to vote because this way we can participate in making policies at the govt level," she said at Khun Khun Ji Inter College polling booth.

Gautam Prakash Singh, a first-time voter, came from Jaipur to cast his vote at Little Learners School in Vishesh Khand.

"As a student, I want the govt to create more employment opportunities for people like us," he added.

Devraj Singh, who works in Delhi, cast his vote at City Convent Inter College in Balaganj with his wife.

"It's essential to actively fulfil our duty towards the country," he said.


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