BHUBANESWAR: An innovative voter awareness programme has been launched in Rayagada assembly constituency to encourage electoral participation among people mostly tribals. Eco-friendly bamboo hand fans adorned with slogans like ‘I will cast vote’ and ‘My vote my responsibility’ were distributed to the public. It raises voter awareness, supports local craftsmanship, and protects the environment.
The initiative not only promotes voting but also provides a source of income to local artisans.It cleverly uses the hand fans, a necessity in the summer season, as a tool to spread awareness. The hand fans are also bearing the names of Saksham App and c-VIGIL, so that people can know about voter awareness very well. As the slogans are painted on the hand fans, it will last long.
Kalyani Sanghamitra Devi, sub-collector cum returning officer, said she wanted to hold the awareness programme in an innovative way. “Under the guidance of Rayagada collector and district election officer, we purchased some bamboo hand fans and painted slogans on it. During this summer season, people love hand fans. We used this trick for voter awareness,” she added.
She said they achieved many goals from a single idea. “Normally people go for flex, banners and posters made of plastic. We used eco-friendly material for this awareness activity and supported local artisans by purchasing it from them. Public will carry the hand fans bearing the messages. It will help them during summer and create enthusiasm among their neighbours and friends to see the slogans written on the hand fans,” she added.
The sub-collector said they purchase one hand fan at Rs 20. “If we compare flex, banner and posters, our campaign is highly cost effective and environmentally sustainable. We are using Odia language with local words like ‘
The initiative not only promotes voting but also provides a source of income to local artisans.It cleverly uses the hand fans, a necessity in the summer season, as a tool to spread awareness. The hand fans are also bearing the names of Saksham App and c-VIGIL, so that people can know about voter awareness very well. As the slogans are painted on the hand fans, it will last long.
Kalyani Sanghamitra Devi, sub-collector cum returning officer, said she wanted to hold the awareness programme in an innovative way. “Under the guidance of Rayagada collector and district election officer, we purchased some bamboo hand fans and painted slogans on it. During this summer season, people love hand fans. We used this trick for voter awareness,” she added.
She said they achieved many goals from a single idea. “Normally people go for flex, banners and posters made of plastic. We used eco-friendly material for this awareness activity and supported local artisans by purchasing it from them. Public will carry the hand fans bearing the messages. It will help them during summer and create enthusiasm among their neighbours and friends to see the slogans written on the hand fans,” she added.
The sub-collector said they purchase one hand fan at Rs 20. “If we compare flex, banner and posters, our campaign is highly cost effective and environmentally sustainable. We are using Odia language with local words like ‘
Hai! Mui Misa Vote Debi
’ (Yes! I will also cast a vote) ensuring that the message reaches a wider audience, majority of them are tribals,” she added.
Chief electoral officer (CEO), Odisha, has praised this initiative through its X handle. “As CEO office and our collector have appreciated it, we have decided to do more such activities. As systematic voters’ education and electoral participation (SVEEP) will continue till the last day of campaigning, which is May 11, we will procure more hand fans from local artisans, mostly women. Rayagada assembly constituency is going for polls on May 13,” she added.