At 7 am on Wednesday, the residents of Kalpa village in Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh were waiting for Shyam Saran Negi to arrive. Women dressed in traditional attire and jewellery, accompanied by a group of musicians, stood outside the polling station as 97-year-old Negi made his way from his home to cast his vote in the second-last phase of the general elections. In October 1951, when India held its first national election, Negi was the first person to cast his vote.
It has since become a tradition in Kalpa for the retired school teacher to vote before anyone else. Residents held out garlands as Guruji, as he is fondly known by his neighbours, and his wife, 93-year-old Heera Mani Devi were led to the polling booth by their daughter-in-law Surma Devi.
As he exited, a district official presented him a cap and a scarf.
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It has since become a tradition in Kalpa for the retired school teacher to vote before anyone else. Residents held out garlands as Guruji, as he is fondly known by his neighbours, and his wife, 93-year-old Heera Mani Devi were led to the polling booth by their daughter-in-law Surma Devi.
As he exited, a district official presented him a cap and a scarf.
Shyam Singh Negi and his wife Heera Mani Devi being escorted to the polling station by their daughter-in-law Surma Devi.
Anticipating media attention, Negi summoned former student Prem Singh Negi, 63, a day before he cast his vote, to help him jot down answers to possible questions he would have to field.
Residents greet Negi with garlands of dry fruit as he arrives at the polling station.
Women dressed in traditional attire and jewellery await Negi's arrival.
Musicians waiting to greet Negi.