SHILLONG: One hundred and fourteen years and still going strong. Like in previous elections, Kimsimai Kharmawlong did not fail to exercise her franchise in Wednesday’s Lok Sabha election either.
The oldest voter of Shillong, hailing from Laban, cast her vote at the St John’s Parish Hall at around 10.30 a.m.
For her, it was a ‘dream come true’ as, due to age-related ailments, she was not sure if she would be able to cast her vote this time.
Taking rest at her residence at Laban after returning from the polling station, she expressed happiness that she had been able to register her vote. Relatives and well wishers carried the old woman to the polling station.
According to relatives, the oldest voter in Shillong as per the available records did not fail in the past elections too to cast her vote, an inspiration indeed for those who are apathetic and do not cast their votes in elections.
On September 17 next, Kharmawlong will celebrate her 115th birthday, but, for her, the biggest celebration was taking part in the exercise of franchise in the world’s largest democracy.
The grand old lady has a daughter, four grandchildren, 19 great grand children and 70 great-great grandchildren. Relatives, well wishers and friends had celebrated her 111th birthday at St John’s Parish Hall in 2011 after finding out her real age from EPIC.
