News Politics National 97-year-old man's appeal to vote a hit online

97-year-old man's appeal to vote a hit online

Shimla: Just short of being 100 years old, a mountain man's appeal to the nation to vote has 10 times the number of hits online than a Bollywood megastars' musical video staring Amitabh Bachchan and

"Shyam Saran Negi, a school teacher from a remote village in the foothills of the Himalayas, has voted in every general election since 1951. He pledges to vote in the 2014 elections, and so should you," says Google India.

"Voters should exercise their right to franchise and hand over the reins of government to an honest leader who can end corruption and check price rise," Negi told IANS in an interview.

Negi lives in the picturesque Kalpa village, located at an altitude of 10,000 feet and some 275 km from the state capital, in Kinnaur district, which is known for its delicious apples.

The nonagenarian, whose immediate family includes his wife, four sons and five daughters, said it is important to vote. He has several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

"I was told about NOTA (None of the Above) option. I believe one must use the right to franchise," said Negi, eagerly awaiting the polling day in Himachal Pradesh May 7.