“Youths must save democracy by exercising their franchise. The youth who aspire to become doctors, engineers, IT professionals and IAS officers must come forward to don the mantle of administrators,” said Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, RTI activist and Founder of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM). He was speaking at a programme aimed at ‘Empowerment of Democracy,’ held under the aegis of Swami Vivekananda Leadership Development Institute in city yesterday. Dr. Balasubramaniam, who leads this campaign that is focussing on creating awareness about voting among upper middle class, said that 17% of Indian population is youths and 70% are aged below 40 years. “If this chunk of population refrains from voting, which is not only their right but primary duty too, will prove detrimental for the democracy.” “In the recently held MCC election, only 55% voter turnout was registered in urban region while in the rural region, it was 75%,” he said and added that those who speak about corruption and mal-administration must step out of their homes and elect the right candidates. “Our volunteers will conduct door-to-door campaign and urge people to vote in the Assembly elections,” he said. The campaign will also focus on corporate companies in and around Mysore city. “We will conduct a 20-minute programme that will include a talk by me and a four-minute video on voting rights, at the companies. Our aim is to encourage more people, including those from the business world, to cast their vote. We are engaging young voters too,” said Dr. Balasubramaniam.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore