MARGAO: The saying ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way’ came to life for voters from Nuvem, Manora, and Sao Jose de Areal, who were determined to visit the Marian Shrine at Vailankanni only after casting their votes for the Lok Sabha election on Tuesday. They cancelled their tickets for the May 6 train bound for Velankanni, prior to polls.
These few citizens found an alternative means to visit their cherished pilgrimage site, showcasing their dedication to both their spiritual journey and their democratic responsibilities.
On Tuesday, O Heraldo had the opportunity to speak with several voters, including Melvita Quadros from Raia, who found themselves in the queue at their respective polling booths before boarding the train bound for Velankanni.
A few others who were keen on fulfilling their democratic duty were Linda Fernandes, Jimmy Colaco and McEuegene Fernandes from Nuvem and Platilda Fernandes and her children from Sao Jose de Areal.
It is pertinent to note that hundreds of devotees declined the poll call and boarded the train heading to Velankanni on Monday, despite the Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Cardinal Ferrao’s public appeal to forgo their pilgrimage to Velankanni to vote in the Lok Sabha polls.
These devotees faced a dilemma when the election date was announced. Determined to fulfil both their civic duty and their pilgrimage, they swiftly cancelled their original train tickets and managed to secure reservations on an indirect train on Tuesday.
“We had booked our tickets three months in advance. However, we thought of finding other travel options, so we don’t miss our chance to vote, and also get to visit the Marian Shrine in Velankanni,” said Melvita Quadros.
By exercising our right to vote thoughtfully and responsibly, our family has contributed to the betterment of society, she added.
McEuegene Fernandes from Nuvem said that those who had missed casting their franchise by boarding the train a day prior to the polls should have considered all their options more carefully before heading to Velankanni.
“I am not against the decision of those who missed voting, but this election is an important one,” stated Fernandes.
Platilda Fernandes, a resident of Sao Jose de Areal, said that she managed to cast her vote early in the morning and then rushed to the Konkan Railway station to board the Okha-Ernakulam Express.
“We cancelled our tickets for the train that departed on Monday so that we don’t miss the election. Yes, we will face some hardships to reach Velankanni by changing numerous trains before reaching the Marian Shrine, but it was our duty,” she stated.