Polytechnic Wing of SBS Technical Campus organized SVEEP Programme
Voters are key players of democracy : Amrik Singh
Polytechnic Wing of SBS Technical Campus organized SVEEP Programme
Ferozepur, September 21,2015 : Polytechnic Wing of Shaheed Bhagat Singh State Technical Campus, Ferozepur organised various events like Slogan Writing, Declamation Contest and Signature Campaign to create awareness among the voters as per the directions of Election Commission of India as the State Assembly elections are 1.5 years away. These events were organised under Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) Programme by two societies from Poly Wing, namely, ACME Society of Mechanical Engineering Department and Achiever’s Society from ECE Department organised all these events under SVEEP. The entire event was designed to reach out to youth in an effort to mobilise them to participate in the 2017 assembly elections.
Mr Amrik Singh, DPRO was Chief Guest during this event. Dr Satinder Singh, National Awardee and Coordinator SVEEP and Mr Harish Monga, (Social Activist) were Guest of Honour during this event. Ms. Gagandeep Kaur, Election Kanunugo representative from District Election Cell, Ferozepur was also present during the occasion.
Dr. T. S. Sidhu, Campus Director, initiated the Awareness Campaign by Signing on the Oath for encouraging youth of Punjab, especially first time Voters. He told all eligible voter students of college to create awareness about the electoral process and increase people's participation in voting for the impending Assembly Elections. The move to encourage first time voters, specially student’s participation in the electoral process comes as a part of the Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme conceived by the Election Commission of India.
The prominent display of the pledge – an undertaking by electors to uphold the democratic traditions of the country and vote fearlessly without being influenced by religion, caste, community, language or any inducement — is just one of the one of the many measures introduced by the Poly Wing of this Technical Campus under its Systematic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) programme.
Eight students form Poly wing participated in declamation contest. Ms Gagandeep Kaur from 3rd Semester Computer Engg was adjudged first Position; Ms Mandeep Kaur from 3rd Semester Computer Engg was adjudged second Position and Ms Harpanthparteek Kaur from from 5th Semester Computer Engg was adjudged third Position.
Ms Gagandeep Kaur told the gathering that in a democratic system, a free and fair vote is the fundamental tool through which citizens can express their political preferences and developmental wishes. Youth in India have in the past not actively taken part in electoral processes as a result of lack of knowledge of the importance of their participation.
Chief Guest, Mr Amrik Singh, DPRO emphasised that Voters are the key players of democracy. It encouraged the gathering that it can easily be assumed that each vote casted strengthens the democracy and the vote not casted or misused weakens the same.
Prof Gazal Preet Singh, Principal Poly Wing emphasized that it is very important to sensitize the youth and take forward the message of the Election Commission of India which campaigns for “ethical voting” as their central theme. It has been seen that first time voters generally feels shy of franchising the votes. So, such initiatives encourages and creates awareness about the electoral process among eligible voter students of college.
The Prize Distribution ceremony was chaired by Dr T. S. Sidhu, Campus Director. He emphasised on the need of moving from traditional campaign tactics – phone calls, canvassing and grassroots outreach – to new tactics, like organizing Essay Writing competitions, Slogan Writing, Forming Human chains, and organising seminars. Dr T S Sidhu, congratulated the Polytechnic Wing students for their efforts in awakening the youth of largest democracy of the world with their power of VOTE.
In the end Mr Gobind, Chairman ACME Society and Mr Gurjeevan Singh, Chairman ACHIEVERS’ Society paid gratitude to Election Office of District Administration for arranging the SVEEP programmes in SBS Campus and giving opportunity to Poly Wing students for creating awareness among youth for participation in Electoral process.