Solan: In a bid to inspire and ensure the active participation of young and first-time voters in the upcoming general elections, a comprehensive one-day national awareness campaign took place at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni. Attended by over 250 first-year students of BSc Horticulture and BSc Forestry, many of whom are first-time voters, the event aimed to empower this demographic with essential knowledge about their electoral rights and the significance of exercising them in a democratic setup.
The initiative was spearheaded by the Shimla Chapter of the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI) in collaboration with the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) initiative of the Election Commission of India. The event served as a platform to educate and mobilize the youth towards active participation in the electoral process.
Dr. Ranvir Verma, Chairman of the Shimla Chapter of PRSI, extended a warm welcome to the attendees, highlighting PRSI’s longstanding commitment to promoting social causes across the nation. He emphasized the pivotal role of PRSI in fostering awareness about the importance of every vote in the world’s largest democracy.
Addressing the gathering, Additional Commissioner MC Solan and District Nodal Officer of SVEEP Dr. Priyanka Chandra underscored the significance of young voters’ engagement in shaping the nation’s future. She urged the first-time voters to recognize the power of their votes and their responsibility towards strengthening democratic principles.
SDM Solan Poonam Bansal provided insights into voter registration procedures and encouraged vigilance among new voters. She also elucidated on the Election Commission of India’s initiatives aimed at facilitating the participation of differently abled individuals and elderly voters, while introducing them to digital tools such as the Voter Helpline app, Electronic Voting Machine, and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail.
Dr. Manish Sharma, Dean of the College of Horticulture, expressed gratitude towards PRSI and SVEEP for their efforts in fostering awareness about electoral processes. He reaffirmed the university’s commitment to encouraging student participation in elections on various pertinent issues.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. BS Panwar, acknowledging the contributions of all involved stakeholders including PRSI National Council members, nodal officers, faculty, and staff.
Librarian Dr. KK Raina, PRSI National Council members Yadvinder Singh Chauhan and Ashok Sharma, along with Dr. TD Verma, PD Bhardwaj, Yashpal Kapoor, and other esteemed members of the university community took part in the event.
