Wrapped in a blanket and carried to the polling station, a villager from Mawbyrngem overcame the serious odds of a broken back to be part of the festival of democracy today.
Marcus Kharbani, a resident of Mawbyrngem village, which falls under Mawshynrut constituency, had a serious fall just two days ago and was receiving treatment from a traditional Khasi medicine practitioner located some distance away from his home.
Although people with disabilities who are registered with the authorities were able to sign up to vote from home at these elections, this would not have applied to Kharbani.
Despite the pain, his family said, Kharbani refused to let his vote be wasted. With an indomitable spirit, he was determined to be part of the voting process and get his finger inked but, in order to make his wish come true, his family members plus a few helpful villagers had to bear him to the polling booth.
This was quite a task as the distance from the facility where he was receiving treatment to the polling station was 35km. Nevertheless, he was able to tolerate the pain, and his carriers the weight, and he cast his vote, one of 387 to do so at Mawbyrngem.
