As Delhi residents prepare to take part in the Lok Sabha elections, young people in the city talk about the joy of getting their first tattoos. Here’s what’s fueling their passion to unite for the country’s democracy as they prepare to be called the upstanding citizens of India.
“I feel like a kingmaker!”
Raghav GuptaThe third-year electrical engineering student at Delhi Technological University (DTU) said, “It’s my first time voting and I feel like I’m a kingmaker. My vote will decide what happens to the government of the country. I feel like Nana Patekar from Rajneeti (2010) as it’s the work that goes on behind the scenes that helps build a strong government. Our college is also a polling centre so we have seen the EVMs being installed and training sessions being conducted. As a first-time voter, it is very exciting for me to see all this in action.”
“I’ve booked a ticket to come home to vote.”
Sana Yasmin Khan, a first-year BA LLB student from Mayur Vihar, said, “I had been looking forward to voting since I was in class 10. After my exams got over at the National Law Institute University, Bhopal, everyone stayed back to socialise with their friends. But I was so determined to vote for the first time in my life that I booked the first flight ticket I could get and rushed back to my home in Delhi. I was eligible to vote in the Legislative Assembly elections but couldn’t, so I am really looking forward to it this time.”
“Let’s have a party to celebrate a duty done.”
Anirudh Sharma, a final year student of Bachelor’s in Software Engineering, Delhi Technological University, said, “I love to party and today I am partying to celebrate fulfilling my constitutional duty as a citizen of India by voting. I have seen various party venues offering various perks for tattooed people. There are heaps of discounts and free services. Being a responsible citizen, I will definitely avail of these offers while hanging out with friends.”
“I vote to get a sense of accomplishment.”
Kanav Pahwa, a second-year engineering physics student at Delhi Institute of Technology, said, “I am an only child, so my parents always think of me as a child and don’t take my opinions seriously. But now that I’m voting and it counts in shaping the new government of the country, I not only get to contribute to the functioning of the world’s largest democracy, but I also get a sense of accomplishment and recognition at home. Hopefully, when I sit at the adult table with my parents, my opinions will be taken seriously (laughs).”
“I’m looking forward to voting. We’ll see how the voting process works.”
Fiza Mehwish Rahman, a final-year BA (Hons) Political Science student at Mata Sundhri Women’s College, said, “I am a resident of Vasundhara district, where locals have adopted the buddy system. If it is your first time voting, your buddy will accompany you to cast your vote. This time, someone will accompany you and next time, someone will take the first-time voter with them. I am looking forward to voting in the world’s largest democracy and seeing how the entire voting process works.”
“I’m planning on doing some nail art to complement my tattooed fingers.”
Diya Khatri, a second-year BA (Hons) student from Lady Shri Ram College, said, “I love nail art and plan to get some art done on my fingers to complement my tattooed ones. I will get this tattoo after voting is over. Our vote will decide the future of our country. We are already the largest democracy with the largest population in the world. I plan to flaunt my voting rights and showcase my aesthetic sense as a fashionista.”
