In a poignant display of civic duty amidst physical hardship, 70-year-old Arati Basak undertook a taxing journey to attend a hearing concerning her voter registration in Kolkata this Sunday. The elderly woman, accompanied by her son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons, arrived at the Sailendra Sircar Vidyalaya hearing centre in a yellow taxi, highlighting the challenges faced by senior citizens in administrative processes.
A Journey Marred by Health and Hardship
Suffering from several age-related ailments, including arthritis, Arati Basak finds it difficult to walk properly. Long-distance travel exacerbates her condition, leading to severe physical issues like vomiting and headaches. Despite these challenges, her commitment to her voting rights compelled her to make the trip from her current residence in Birati to the hearing venue.
The family were long-time residents of Shyampukur, but a few years ago, Arati moved to Birati with three of her sons and their families. Only her eldest son now remains in Shyampukur. It was he who received the hearing notice and informed the family.
The Financial and Physical Cost of Civic Duty
Her son, Uttam Basak, explained the logistical and financial burden they faced. "My elder brother called me two days ago and told me that her hearing notice came," Uttam said. Concerned for his mother's health, he had to hire a yellow taxi, paying Rs 350 for the one-way journey. A similar fare of Rs 350-400 would be needed for the return trip home, making the total cost nearly Rs 700.
Uttam expressed frustration at the situation, noting, "If we stayed here (in Shyampukur), we could have had the hearing at home, but they couldn't travel to Birati because of the distance." Arati was the only family member to receive a hearing call, specifically concerning her name not being on the 2002 Summary Revision (SIR) electoral roll.
A Voter's Resolve and Systemic Hurdles
After alighting from the taxi, an exhausted Arati immediately sat down on the pavement outside a closed shop to catch her breath. Her dedication to voting, however, remained unwavering. "I can't remember a single election that I missed voting in," Arati stated. The news from her son about her missing name came as a shock, leading to this arduous hearing process which she did not fully understand.
"I faced difficulties travelling this distance in the extreme cold. I can't walk properly, so they took me to the hearing centre," she recounted. The incident underscores the physical, emotional, and financial toll that administrative discrepancies can impose on elderly citizens, even as they strive to participate in the democratic process.
