Voting is your right as well as your duty and every vote matters when it comes to determining
the future of the state. In Goa, a large number of youngsters are first-time
voters and taking that call for the first time can be confusing for many. While
the decision on whom to vote for in is solely on them, it is important to
impress upon them the importance of voting. To enable a smooth flow of
information, the Chief Electoral Officer and Chief Election Commission has
appointed icons for the general assembly elections in Goa.
Akshada Bandekar is one of the youth icons for ethical voting
for the 2017 assembly elections. She has appealed to Goans to exercise their
right to vote through a 30-second music video, titled, ‘Havn Goenkar‘. apart
from Akshada as lead vocalist, the team behind the music video comprises music
director Mukesh Ghatwal, videographer Lawrence Fernandes, lyricist John Aguiar and
Assistant Nodal Officer (Media), Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office. “After I
received my nomination as North Goa District Youth Icon, I decided to make a
Konkani video, ‘Hanv Goenkar’. We also have a Hindi and English version of the
videos. It created a huge buzz on social media and that is the way I could help
this initiative. The video has so far received more than 30,000 views and it is
even playing on radio every day,” explains Akshada.
Akshada is currently pursuing a degree in Electronic and Telecommunications
Engineering at Goa Engineering College, Ponda. As she has just turned 18, this
will be the first time she will be voting. “This will be a new experience and
not everyone becomes a Youth Icon for the first time they are voting. I am
excited about voting at the pink booth,” says Akshada. Besides Akshada, other
North Goa District Youth Icons include Mukesh Ghatwal, Mandar Rao Dessai and
Nhehern Acharya.
Former Indian football team captain and recipient of Arjuna
award, Brahmanand Shankwalkar is selected as North Goa District icon for its
Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programmes. “I
send messages on various football and youth groups on Whatsapp when I am not
out encouraging youngsters to vote this year. We recently addressed a houseful
hall at St Xavier’s College, Mapusa. I was accompanied by a nodal officer and
we received a very good response. I could tell that the students were paying
attention because they were brimming with questions. One of the college students
spoke fearlessly and with confidence about his experience and importance of
voting,” says Brahmanand.
Speaking about the awareness in the football community and their
enthusiasm to vote, Brahmanand says, “There is a lot of discussion but the
highlight is to go ahead and vote fearlessly.” He was recently part of the
Walkathon that was held from Panjim Garden to Don Bosco junction and back to
Panjim church.
Aryan Khedekar is a noted name in the Konkani film industry and
even his voice resonates on radio. As a South Goa District Icon, he is reaching
out to youngsters and motivating them to vote with full confidence. “I have
been to different colleges over the past few days and most recently to
Government College, Sankhali where we had interactive sessions. The youth can
change the entire scenario of politics and we are not imposing but motivating
them to vote. In the last elections, the youth made up 84 per cent of the
voters; in these elections we at least want to touch the 90 per cent mark.
There has been tremendous response for the youth and they have to realise that
it is not a one sided argument; there will be no room for the blame game if
they are well informed and make up their minds before voting. It is a one time
selection for a candidate who will be here for five years. They have to choice
wisely,” explains Aryan.
Speaking about the initiative by the State and Chief Election
Commission on selecting icons, Aryan says, “This year, the Election Commission
has engaged a lot of artistes of different genres who can contribute in their
own way, maybe through videos, jingles and radio messages. Different people are
going on the floor to reach out to different segments for one cause.”
Prasad
Pankar from Mapusa has a special connect with the youth. As a North Goa
District Icon, he doesn’t want the young voters to take their right for
granted. “We made a video to help us interact with the youngsters. It was
posted on Facebook. We were also part of the Walkathon that was held this
Sunday. We are focusing on colleges as these youngsters are first-time voters
and they should understand that there is no point of voting if they are not
motivated or convinced about their candidates. There is a lot of buzz in
colleges and with voters across the state. Often the youth are misled hence
they need the maximum guidance. The Assistant Nodal Officer explains the
procedure of voting and how to operate the machine and then we share our
experience. I also didn’t vote the first time and I share the experience of
what it is to lose a vote. Many youngsters could connect with me and this year
they have assured to vote,” says Prasad.
