Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur meets family members of India’s first voter Shyam Saran Negi
Kinnaur, November 8
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday met family members of India’s first voter Shyam Saran Negi, who died aged 106 at his home in Kalpa here, and said he was an inspiration to all.
आज मुख्यमंत्री श्री @jairamthakurbjp जी ने जिला किन्नौर स्थित कल्पा में भारत के पहले मतदाता का गौरव पाने वाले स्व. श्याम सरण नेगी जी के निधन उपरांत उनके आवास पर श्रद्धासुमन अर्पित की एवं उनके परिवारजनों से मुलाकात कर सांत्वना दी। pic.twitter.com/1unkeNihq9
— BJP Himachal Pradesh (@BJP4Himachal) November 8, 2022
“Today, we miss Negi ji so much,” the chief minister said while offering his tributes. “Whenever polls were held–be it Panchayat, Vidhan Sabha or Lok Sabha — he always used to visit the booth to cast vote and inspire everyone.”
Three days after casting his vote for the 34th time, Negi died on Saturday. He was the Election Commission’s brand ambassador and had voted for the Himachal Pradesh assembly polls through postal ballot on November 2.
The chief minister recalled that in 1951, a young Negi made history when he exercised his franchise in Kalpa, becoming India’s first voter.
Independent India’s first election was held in 1951. The polling in Chini, present day Kalpa, was held before other parts of the state as heavy snowfall was anticipated in higher altitude areas here. Negi was the first person to cast his vote.
His house is in Kanang Saring in Kalpa, which borders Tibet on the east, and is famous for its high-quality apples. The region is situated at an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet.
During a poll rally in Sundernagar in Mandi district on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed condolences over Negi’s death.
“Just a few days ago, Negi had cast his vote through postal ballot for the Himachal Pradesh polls. Even before his demise, he discharged his duty,” Modi had said.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar had also visited Negi’s residence last week and paid homage to him.
