Ace archer Deepika Kumari’s pro-active participation as Election Commission’s brand ambassador seems to miss in the upcoming State Assembly polls. Jharkhand electoral officials will promote her old recorded messages of lok Sabha elections held in April.
The Ranchi-based archer on the other side is still unaware about her role to initiate poll awareness campaign afresh.The EC is banking on the old recorded massages of her which is in the form of a small video clip uploaded on its website and few postures.“We have sufficient recorded materials of Deepika Kumari and Aamir Khan, the ambassadors for election commission who can encourage the public for voting. As of now, there is no plan of approaching Deepika since her recorded versions in the last held lok Sabha polls are enough to motivate mass for voting,” State Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) PK Jajoria told The Pioneer.
Though, despite several attempts Deepika could not be contacted but persons close to her played ignorance about any fresh engagement of her related to the Assembly elections.Considering her youth icon’s figure and mass appeal her message could have been among women of Jharkhand in generating awareness especially against heightened role of money and liquor in luring voters, the approach has demoralized many.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi could dare to copy Swami Vivekananda’s slogan ‘Jaago Yuva Jaago’ to inspire youths on their rights. Deepika Kumari could have imitated the same technique. She can directly reach out players and residents within her community to stop voting for the sake of money, liquor or any other illegal activities,” social activist and a freelance journalist Aloka said.
Tribal cum women rights activist Sacchi Kumari pointed on the archer’s rare feet to the rural mass of the state.“In cities, one can even locate a hoarding where Deepika is requesting to cast vote in order to utilise our constitutional right. She could have appealed village residents for voting by visiting them at least once in the past six months. If not possible, she can appeal the locals during her stay at home in Ratu,” Sacchi Kumari said.
Even the young voters felt Deepika’s absence from the voting awareness drives at the grass root level.“Deepika can encourage youngsters on hand washing and anti-violence activities in association with NGO. The same motivation was never done by her for voting. In such circumstances, can we really quote her a youth icon of the state,” Vishal Shahdeo, a first time voter in the coming assembly elections asked.
Meanwhile, the Social Welfare department will organize voting awareness drives on November 8, 15, 22 and 29 with the help of Sahiyas, sevikas and health workers.Around 3 lakh resolution certificates will be distributed by the students to the parents from November 11 to 15 which will be taken back by November 22.In the State capital particularly, three vehicles on voter awareness will be flagged off by the District Administration officials on November 6. An awareness rally of Scouts and Guides is also scheduled here on November 7.