Sainkupar Syngkli
NONGPOH:
With elections just around the corner, there is excitement and anticipation in the air as political parties, candidates and voters look forward to partaking in the Festival of Democracy.
What’s more exciting than exercising one’s franchise for the first time? For a first-time voter, it is a new adventure – a chance to be part of something as significant as choosing the right leader.
For an elderly voter, though the process remains the same, the hope for a better future ceases to diminish.
PEARLS OF WISDOM
The Meghalayan was there when an inquisitive first-time voter Badondor Pyngrope met 94-year-old Nolshon Syngkli to pick his brain on matters electoral.
Pyngrope set off from Pahamrioh under Nongpoh constituency to meet Syngkli, the oldest voter in Lumkya village under the Umsning constituency.
Lumkya, one of the oldest villages in Umsning, is located about 15 kilometres away from Nongpoh, the district headquarter of Ri Bhoi district.
On reaching Lumkya, a curious Pyngrope wasted no time in gathering insights from Syngkli, a man who has seen elections and politicians change over the years.
“How was your first-time voting experience?” Pyngrope asks Syngkli.
“I cast my first vote in the assembly elections of 1962 when we were still under Assam. We then used to cast our votes using a small ballot paper which also made voting malpractices easier. That year, Brington Buhai Lyngdoh won from the All Party Hills Leader Conference (APHLC),” he recollects.
Pyngrope then goes on to ask Syngkli about how elections have changed over the course of time to which Syngkli answered, “Back then, we did not understand the nuances a lot. We cast our vote as we were told. I supported Congress, initially. It was later in the assembly elections of 2003 that I began to understand how voting could make a change.”
Pyngrope listened attentively as Syngkli explained how tea and snacks were offered back in the day by candidates to win over voters.
“In our times, we used to be treated with tea as enticement by the candidates, however, today candidates do it with money. Money has become powerful amidst a galore of unfulfilled promises,” he said.
“Leaders come and make promises before elections, but once they win, they turn their backs on us. In the last election, our sitting MLA assured us that the dilapidated road leading to our village will be repaired by the end of 2022, however, there is no sign of it until now, ” Syngkli added.
Pyngrope, who is beginning to understand the roles and responsibilities of a representative, is already analysing the political situation in the state.
She raises issues like road connectivity, water supply, health and education.
“Various centrally-sponsored schemes have come into the village like Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), MGNREGS and PMAY-G. However, the roads continue to remain the same,” Syngkli tells her.
Residents of Lumkya have been struggling with bad road connectivity since time immemorial. “The road from Marngar to our village is kutcha, even in emergencies, vehicles cannot pass through and we have to carry humans,” Syngkli rued.
Pyngrope then pops a significant question.
“But how do I make the right choice?”
“You should listen to the aims and objectives promised by the candidates and prioritise accordingly,” is Syngkli’s response.
“No matter what the party says, focus on the candidate. Money is temporary; you will only get it during elections, but the right candidate will bring development to the entire constituency. One should never fall for the greed of a few bucks,” Syngkli concludes.