Manu Bhaker casts vote for first time, says growth in hands of people

After casting her vote for the first time at her native Goriya village in Jhajjar district on Saturday morning, Paris Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker (22) said small steps led to big achievements. She said development, to a large extent, was in the hands of people and they must elect representatives who could realise people's dreams in terms of growth.

She had come to the polling booth with her father Ram Kishan Bhaker, mother Sumedha and brother.

Talking to mediapersons, she said, “I was excited as it was the first time I was casting my vote. I, along with my parents, had come to a polling booth once, but did not know the significance and power of the vote at that time. I just knew that votes are polled to elect a candidate, but now I have realised how important it is. Every person must cast their vote.”

Her father said, "Manu is the brand ambassador and a youth icon for voting. She had to come. We vote in every election. How will our village develop if we do not vote? Everyone must vote. It's better to come out today than complain and curse the government over the next five years."

Like Manu, many other first-timers cast their vote with enthusiasm across the state.

Abhinav, a student of Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, said he was feeling good that he had contributed to the process to form the government. “We must vote for a candidate who has the potential and vision to work for the development of the state, and in people’s interest. I voted keeping in view the academic qualifications and conduct of the candidates,” he said.

Era Bhardwaj, a student of Delhi University, said she had especially come from Delhi to cast her vote. “This is not an ordinary election, the future of Haryana for the next five years will depend upon this vote. If we elect the best candidates, the state will be on the path of progress otherwise people will be at the receiving end,” she added.

Pratibha, another first-timer from Rewari, said she felt good about not only deciding the future of candidates but also the state.