The Responsible Voter

Abhinav slowly opened his eyes as he tried to remember what happened. However, all he could recollect was that he was playing cricket with his sister. One of the few things that were common between the two of them was their fancy for cricket. The previous day had been Arya’s 13th birthday and she was busy with her own friends. Since the following day was Sunday, she was home playing with her brother.

A ceiling came into focus and Abhi found himself in the hospital. He heard Arya’s half tired voice saying someone that he had fallen from the tree.

Then he remembered that she had hit the ball with the bat and it went to the top of a tree. When he climbed the tree to retrieve it, he slipped and fell from above. Thankfully, the grass saved him from major injury. It seemed like he was immediately rushed to the hospital.

He saw the nurse talking to a concerned middle aged couple and heard that his sister had spent the night at the hospital with him, although she wasn’t injured.

When Arya came a while later, he asked what the date was. She said “Oh, it’s been a day since you had that accident. I hope you’re okay. I’ll be careful with the ball next time.”

“No problem. I’m glad you finally learned to hit a six!”

“The doctor has advised you a month’s rest!” said his mother, whom he noticed had already walked in during his conversation with Arya.

“Hang on! The elections are tomorrow and I want to exercise my first vote!” Abhi said immediately.

“It is okay, dear.” His mother said, “Many people are eligible to vote. While some of them vote, some others do not vote. It could be for different reasons. But it is okay for you not to vote. You are injured and need rest!”

“Okay, then. Abhi, I’ll come back later.” Arya said and left.

The following day, as a small crowd gathered around a government school where the voting process would take place, a car arrived at the gate. A couple got out of the car and helped a boy get out of the car. With each one of them holding the boy’s hand over their shoulder to support him, they began walking. An injured boy being seen there came as a surprise to people there.

Seeing the boy’s condition, the officials allowed the boy to be taken inside directly instead of standing in the line. Senior citizens were also there and were happily looking at the boy, who was none other than Abhinav. He had insisted that he vote even if he needs rest.

The video of him getting inside and coming out went viral on social media under the hashtags of ‘patrioticcitizen’ and ‘responsiblecitizen’.

Be a responsible citizen. Be the change you want to see.

– Tharun Kumar