Panaji January 27, 2016 ;;; The Governor of Goa Dr. Smt. Mridula Sinha has said that Indian democracy is the largest democracy in the word. It is growing matured day by day and youth in particular have very vital role to play in making our democracy more strong and vibrant,. As a citizen of this great democratic Country we have to seriously strive to stop all the malpractices to safeguard democracy.
Dr. Smt. Sinha was speaking as Chief Guest at the Natioal Voters Day 2016 function organized by the office of the Chief Electoral Officer at Institute Menezes Braganza in the city recently.
The theme of the function was Inclusive and Qualitative Electoral Participation.
Dr. Sinha further said as a citizen we are the stakeholders of democracy and that it is in our hand to arrest all those practices which spoil the name of democracy. This she said will need larger awareness among the citizens through the medium like street plays and others She appreciated the students who presented street plays .
The Chief Secretary Shri R.K. Srivastava in his address said people who are empowered by our constitution can conduct free and fair elections. This he said needs strong will among the people. Anti election activities by our citizens malign the election process and image of our democracy. Therefore he appealed to do away with such bad practices.
The State Elction Commissioner Dr. M. Modassir while speaking impressed upon the fact that people in rural areas show their large participation in election in comparison with urban people which he said is a matter of concern. Unless we fully participate in election no body has right to claim their objections. Therefore he called for larger participation of the people in election process.
Student of Government College Quepem and Government College Pernem presented street play depicting the message to the people regarding how free and fair elections can be conducted by stopping mal practices of use of money, muscle power ,liquor, provocation of caste, religion etc.
The distribution of awards in various categories like BLOs, AEROs, EROs, Collector SEVP and Documentation and others was also done at the hands of the dignitaries. Prizes to the winner of Quiz Competition, Poster Painting Competition in which Goa University, Government College Sankhalim and St. Xaviers College respectively were given to the winning students on the occasion.
Dr. Sachin Shinde, Collector South, Shri Kalidas Ghatwal, North Goa District Conveyor Nehru Yuva Kendra, Dr. Bhaskar Nayak, Director Hugher Education, Shri Roland Martins, Goa CAN, Shri Ladu Parwar Goan Folk Artist, Staff of the office of The Chief Electoral Officer and large number of College students attended the function.
The Governor Dr. Smt. Sinha released statistical report of General Election 2014. While CEO Shri Narayan Navti read the message of the Election Commissioner of India. The new voters who registered their names as a voters were also elicited at the hands of Governor by issuing them their epic cards. Shri Gaurish J. Sankhawalkar SDM Tiswadi administered Voters Pledge and CEO Shri Navti presented mementoes to dignitaries.
Shri Swapnil Naik Addl. Collector North welcomed the guests.
Dr. Dayanand Rao compered the function while Shri Arvind Bugde , Addl. Collector North Goa proposed the vote of thanks.
