Nagpur: Travelling over 150 kilometers on a bike for nearly four hours to fulfill their duty as responsible citizens of the state, Sarita Dhore, a maid in Nagpur, and her husband, Sonu, undertook a journey back to their hometown in Gondia to vote in the recent assembly elections. Despite the challenges of distance and lost wages, Sarita carefully finished all her household chores the day before, taking leave to ensure her inked finger would stand as a testament to the belief that ‘every vote counts.'
Originally from Gondia and Balaghat, the couple moved to Nagpur 13-14 years ago due to work opportunities."We travelled to Gondia for the Lok Sabha elections as well," Sonu shared with TOI. Leaving behind their three young children aged 13, 11, and 3 in the care of Sarita's mother, the couple embarked on their journey early in the morning, setting an example through their decision. "We left the house at 8:30 a.m. and reached Gondia by early afternoon," Sonu recounted. "The road to our village added another hour and a half to the journey. By the time we reached the polling station, it was close to closing hours. We waited in line for another hour before we could finally cast our votes." After casting their votes by 4 pm, the couple immediately began the return journey, reaching Nagpur close to 10pm, exhausted but satisfied that they exercised their right.
"Our voting cards remain registered in Gondia. When I moved to Nagpur, I felt that a memory of my roots should still be there, so I didn't change my registration," Sonu explained. For him, this connection to Gondia is a way to honour where he came from, a sentiment that keeps him going back every election. With this act of determination and commitment, the couple is an example among many extraordinary voters who have taken strides in exercising their franchise.