GULF-GOANS e-NEWSLETTER (since 1994)
Writing a History of Protest - Expatriate Indians Casted their Votes Writing a History of Protest - Expatriate Indians Casted their Votes Kuwait: Indian expatriates in Kuwait showed to world democracy that, vote is not only for present somebody with success or failure but also a great weapon of protest and denial. JANAVIDHITHANIMA 2009 turned into a first symbolic voting and milestone in the history of global Indian expatriates. The demonstration, which was organized under the auspices of THANIMA to achieve voting right to expatriate Indians, took the shape of a chorus of dissent from the expatriate Indian community. It was on 11 April, the symbolic polling took place at United Indian School Abbassiya with all the formalities that an election having in India. The polling was from 4PM to 9PM. From the early hours of the polling, there was an unbroken flow of expatriate Indians in the voting age to the polling station. People hailing from various states of India, speaking different languages, declared their right by casting their votes. More than thousand people took part in JANAVIDHITHANIMA and casted their votes in the symbolic poll. In the ballot paper, besides National Democratic Alliance, Third Front and United Progressive Alliance, prominent political groupings in India, there was a column to cast protest vote. Those who came to the polling station produced Civil ID or Indian Passport before collecting the ballots and they signed in the memorandum to be submitted to the authorities including President of India, Prime Minister, and Chief Election Commissioner and Embassy of India in Kuwait. Further the election officials put ink on the finger to identify those who casted their vote. The voters proceeded inside the voting area where there was a cardboard cover up to ensure the secrecy of voting. Voters put in their casted ballots in the ballot box before leaving the polling station. Presence of women in the symbolic poll was also notable. The boards and posters in Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam explaining the objectives of the poll was exhibited in the premises of the polling station. In the fiery debate that took place prior to the poll, Mr. Sam Pynummood and Mr. R. Ramesh (Third Front) Prof. John, Mr. Kaipattoor Thankachan and Mr. Mohammed Riyaz (Protest Vote) Mr. Rajan Daniel, Mr. Raju Zakarias and Mr. Mustafa Pulpetta (United Progressive Alliance) presented their viewpoint. Adv. P. John Thomas, Chief Election Commissioner and Mr. John Mathew concluded the discussion. Mr. Babuji Bathery was the moderator and Mr. Jacob Thomas welcomed the gathering. Above the triumph or failure of political fronts, the amazing response to the program from the part of expatriates was a meaningful warning to the indifferent approach of Government in India towards expatriate voting rights. With a majority of 102 votes, the protest vote attained a significant victory in the symbolic poll. In fact, it was a gesture from the part of Indian expatriates that, political fronts should take a soul-searching effort to convince the people about their steps on expatriate issues including voting right. Those who are expatriates for a long period, it was a first hand opportunity to cast their vote, though in a symbolic one. Raghunathan Nair, Thomas Mathew, Shaji Varghese, Jomon Mankuzhikary, K.M. Abdul Khadir, Benoy, Rose Kattukallil, Philip J. Panicker, Jojimon, Jins, Thomas Kattanam, were among who led the program. PHOTO BY: ANWAR SADATH THALASSERY http://72.167.166.134/newsindetail.asp?2463=21638 Link article: http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans/ http://www.youtube.com/user/placidousa SAY A LITTLE PRAYER FOR A WELL-WISHER & FRIEND OF GOA-WORLD TEAM Goa World Goa Mog Goa SuRaj Super Goa (em Português) TGF Writers' Sketchpad www.colaco.net www.goa-world. .com/goa/ music/ - The Online Music Station for KONKANI
