Centenarian Freedom Fighter Casts Vote, Embraces Gandhian Optimism

Dr G G Parikh, 100-year-old freedom fighter, voted in Mumbai South's Lok Sabha seat elections. Despite home voting options, he visited the polling station, expressing disappointment in current governance but remains optimistic about change inspired by Gandhian teachings.

Centenarian freedom fighter Dr G G Parikh, who has been voting since India's first general elections in 1951-52, exercised his franchise in the Mumbai South Lok Sabha seat, which went to polls in the fifth and final phase in Maharashtra on Monday. Though the Election Commission of India (ECI) provided a home voting facility for senior citizens above 75, a wheelchair-borne Parikh (100) chose to visit the polling station at Girton High School in Grant Road.

With the help of social activists and his housekeeper, Parikh, popularly known as GG, was wheeled into the polling booth around 10.30 am.

Talking to PTI, Parikh said that during the freedom struggle, he had many dreams about how the country would be, but today, the situation is ''different'' from what he had expected.

''There is a feeling of disappointment, and I feel that I and people of my age, who sacrificed for the country's freedom, should not have done so,'' the Gandhian said.

The teachings of Mahatma Gandhi have influenced the country, and hence, those who have been in power since 2014 will not last, he said, exuding optimism that his vote will bring change.

Parikh took part in the freedom struggle and participated in the Samyukta Maharashtra and Goa liberation movements.

He was jailed for 10 months during the Quit India movement and arrested for his activism during the Emergency.

Parikh, the chairman and founder of Yusuf Meherally Centre in Raigad, turned 100 on December 30, 2023.