Besides having one general familiarity among Madhumita Kumari, Shahbaz Nadeem, Dashrath Mahto, Prerna Bhagat, Rekha Oraon, Purnima Mahato, Gunaram Purty, Om Prakash Gupta, Govardhan Rajak, Saket Keshav, Pawan Kumar Singh, Monalisa Kumari, B Marandi, Tarit Kumar Gorai, Anwar Sheikh and Priyanka Kerketta, all these ‘Sports Stars’ have an additional prime quotient in common.
All these sportspersons have been ruling the ‘District Icons lists’ released by the respective district administrations ahead of Lok Sabha poll – 2019, a few days back. After bringing many laurels to the State, Jharkhand’s sportspersons along with other public figures are all set to drive into an innovative venture.
With the aim to create awareness and motivate the masses to participate in the electoral process, famous personalities’ have been designated as State and District Icons for the upcoming general elections. Several sportspersons, artists, musicians and social activists have become the face of Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation program (SVEEP) initiatives in the State.
Each district has identified two ‘Icons’ for ensuring highest voter turnout percentage. Beginning with Palamau district that registers maximum number of eligible voters, the district administration has selected Dramatist -- Saket Chatterjee as the district icon. Similarly, Ranchi district has approved the names of Indian Environmentalist – Simon Oraon aka Waterman of Jharkhand including ace player Priyanka Kerketta to be the faces of district for motivating the public to vote in the election.
“To select the government of choice that will listen to the pleas of the public, it is important for each individual to come out and vote. The administration is putting its efforts to create awareness among the masses. Through establishing direct communication, we will also convince the voters to be the part of an electoral process in the strengthening democracy,” said, Padma Shri Simon Oraon. Similarly, Priyanka Kerketta appealed to the public to vote and ensure establishment of a stable government. “Only through voting, we can form a stable government. One must come forward to vote on May 6 on a priority basis,” she added.
Ensuring equal participation of renowned personalities, the Election Commission has named Lal Mohan Singh – Educationalist and Social Worker from Khunti district along with Dashrath Mahto – Hockey Mentor to encourage the residents of the respective district to come out and vote.
Nagpuri Singer and Poet – Mahavir Sahu will endorse the initiatives of Election Commission in collaboration with Footballer – Rekha Oraon in Gumla. In Lohardaga district, Archer – Prerna Bhagat has been associated with the district administrative to sensitise the voters to cast their ballot. East Singhbhum district has signed two ace archers—Purnima Mahato including Gunaram Purty to ensure public participation in huge numbers in ‘Desh Ka Mahatyohar’.
In a bid to connect people from all walks of life, the district administration of Seraikela-Kharsawan will use the charisma of Manita Devi – ASHA Worker and Raghunandan Mahto – Skill Developer. In the midst of sportspersons, creative personalities and others, a Rani Mistri (Female Mason) too this year has been figured in the district icon list. Sunita Devi, a female mason will educate, encourage and endorse the programmes of Laterhar district administration ahead of LS Polls – 2019.
Ramesh Chanchal – Academician and Om Prakash Gupta – Wrestler are the district icons of Garhwa. Archer Madhumita Kumari who recently rose to fame has been selected as Ramgarh district icon. Implying the charm of creative art forms, Film Actress – Sheetal Sinha and Singer – Shalini Dubey have become the face of Chatra. Further, in a major effort to promote the competency of females, Hazaribagh district has named Shika Surabhi of Defence Services to be the district icon. Classical Musician – Manoj Kedia and Social Worker – Prabhakar Banwar have been figured in Giridih and Bokaro district icons lists respectively.
Cricketer -- Shahbaz Nadeem in company with Para Athlete – Govardhan Rajak is all set to motivate the voters’ at Dhanbad district. Koderma district has assigned Sportsperson – Saket Keshav and Kalicharan Das (works for differently-abled people) as the district icons.
Pallavi Rai – a classical dancer will help Jamtara district administration to persuade the public in good number to vote. Godda district has involved Athlete -- Pawan Kumar Singh and Netball Player – Monalisa Kumari.
Another athlete B Marandi and cricketer – Tarit Kumar Gorai has become the face of Dumka to promote different election related activities. Anwar Sheikh – a wheel chair cricketer from Sahibganj and Bamjoli Prasad Yadav – a social activist who works for the specially- abled persons from Deoghar have given their consent to aid the respective district administration in influencing the eligible voters’ to vote. The EC has named over 32 public figures as district icons of which 17 among them are sportspersons. The Jharkhand Government has selected recipients of Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards – Mukund Nayak as the ‘State Icon’. Nayak plans to use tribal art forms for vote awareness.