104-year-old Bhagirathi Pillai, a voter since Kerala’s first assembly election
At 104, Bhagirathi Pillai of Sasthamkotta in Kollam remains a living witness to Kerala’s democratic journey, having cast her vote in the state’s first assembly election and continuing to participate in the process even today.A Congress worker in her youth, Bhagirathi says the speeches of Jawaharlal Nehru, broadcast on radio, deeply shaped her political consciousness. “In those days, leaders spoke about nationhood and the duty of citizens to build an egalitarian society. That is how we began questioning practices that went against democratic values,” she recalled.At a time when women were largely confined to their homes, Bhagirathi broke barriers by stepping out to vote at a local LP school.
She also encouraged other young women to take part in the electoral process. “Girls were not even allowed to come to the front veranda of the house then. But our Prime Minister and other leaders spoke aboutequal participation in nation-building. That period changed our lives,” she said.She vividly remembers the charged atmosphere of the 1950s elections. “It was a time of great excitement. We felt we were part of something bigger, of change happening around us,” she said.
Campaigning, she recalled, was deeply personal and community-driv-en. Candidates travelled through villages with loudspeakers, directly communicating their ideas to people. Bullock carts were arranged to take voters to polling booths. “During the first election, I did not wait for the bullock cart. I walked to the booth on my own,” she said.Over the decades, Bhagirathi has witnessed a significant shift in electioneering.
While she lled udm- as rts ke e hs hs. ecthe ed to n,” s, tnt neacknowledges the advantages of technology, she feels it has reduced direct engagement between leaders and voters. “Earlier, leaders came to our homes and spoke to us directly. Now everything happens through mobile phones and television. Technology is necessary, but to understand voters, you need personal interaction,” she said.Despite her age and recent health issues, Bhagirathi remains determined to vote once again. Though walking issues, Bhagirathi to vote once again. Thoulong distances is no longer possible, she plans to hire an autorickshaw and reach the polling station early.“We are still voting because of what we learned from our leaders then,” she said, adding that she misses the spirit of equality, progressiveness and collective purpose that defined the early years of democracy.
