As polling got underway in the city on Thursday, Shuchismita Chakraborty of The Telegraph caught up with some bravehearts who ventured out to exercise their franchise despite their physical disabilities:

BABLU KUMAR

19 (both legs paralysed)

Profession: Student

Distance of booth from home: 1km

Message: On this day, casting vote is more important than enjoying your food. If you don’t cast your vote, how would you elect good representatives? It is very easy to blame others

rAMPREET SINGH

52 (visually challenged)

Profession: Music teacher

Distance of booth from home: 500m

Message: Every vote is precious. Even a good candidate can lose owing to a single vote. When I can come to vote despite my disability, I don’t think anyone else would have a problem

SARITA SINGH

45 (Rampreet’s wife, visually challenged)

Profession: Homemaker

Distance of booth from home: 500m

Message: I need assistance to come to the booth. I took the help of my daughters to cast my vote. When I can step out to exercise my right, why can’t others?

SARABJEET KUMAR

28 (both legs paralysed)

Profession: Betel shop owner

Distance of booth from home: 300m

Message: Throughout the year, we criticise politicians because of not doing work. This is the time we get the power to evict them. If you don’t cast your vote, it would be very foolish

NAUSHAD ALI

21 (right leg paralysed)

Profession: Student

Distance of booth from home: 500m

Message: This is the time we can make politicians aware of our power. If some leader has failed to meet expectations, we can teach him/her a lesson. So people must vote leaving other work behind

AMIT RAJ

20 (left leg paralysed)

Profession: Student

Distance of booth from home: 100m

Message: If you do not exercise your franchise, you don’t want to take part in the nation’s development. It means you are a “traitor”. So don’t be a traitor by not casting your vote