Prem Chand's inspiration votes for change!

Varanasi, May 3 (UNI) At 99 years of age, Maiku who inspired legendary writer Munshi Prem Chand to pen the short story 'Maiku' can no longer see the present world.

But vision loss in no way prevented him from casting vote in the sixth phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly election here today, even as the ancient city registered a low voter turnout, ranging between 35 and 42 per cent in the six assembly seats.

Assisted by his grand children, the former potter turned book-binder want to the polling booth in Pandeypur area early to exercise his franchise.

''Like Munshi Prem Chand I also do not believe in any of the political leaders, but this does not mean that I will shelve my democratic right to vote. I have instead voted for change,'' said Maiku who has lost his vision permanently owing to improper treatment of cataract.

A strapping youth in 1934, Maiku served as the inspiration to the legendary novelist to pen the short story 'Maiku.' The potter's association with the great author not only remained confined to the short story alone, but the relationship bloomed further with Maiku working in Munshiji's Saraswati Printing Press in Varanasi till 1970.

''Munshiji always highlighted the pain of real life characters be it Maiku, Ghisoo or Boodhi Kaki. He did not believe in any of the politicians. Neither do I have any faith in the politicos, but this does not mean I will keep away from exercising my right to vote,'' said Maiku.

While Maiku voted to fulfill the democratic right, 55-year-old Jaibuniya -- perhaps the only lady trolley-puller of the district voted only for appeasing the gram pradhan of Harhahua village falling under Kolasala assembly constituency.

''Wherever pradhanji says I will cast my vote just like in the past,'' Jaibuniya stated.

While illitrate Jaibuniya and Maiku participated in the democratic festival despite sweltering heat, voters at Banaras Hindu University (BHU) showed disinterest in polling. Till 1300 hrs only 6 per cent polling was reported from polling centre at Arts College in BHU -- Asia's biggest university.

The situation in city constituencies including Varanasi (South) and Varanasi (Cantt) housing a large number of educated voters remained similar to that in BHU.

The polling behaviour in Kolasala and Gangapur -- largely rural constituencies -- and Chiraigaon, partly rural seat was far more encouraging than the two urban constituencies Varanasi (South) and Varanasi (Cantonment).

In the Varanasi (North) segment while the voter response was lukewarm in most localities, voters in comparatively large numbers casted ballots in minority community dominated areas.

Official sources said 42 per cent voter turn out was reported in six assembly constituencies of Varanasi, but the voting percentage in three urban constituencies -- Varanasi (South), Varanasi (North) and Varanasi (Cantonment) ranged between 30 and 35 per cent only.

UNI