The BBMP elections were held on 28th March, 2010. Viji was given polling duty as APRO (Assistant Presiding Officer). Here was a chance to give something back to Bangalore, a city which has become a home away from home and she grabbed it.
On 27th March, Saturday, I took Rianna to Marina's home which was near to Viji's polling booth. Ria was most happy to be with the two lovely dogs at Marina's home (Becky and Mischief) and was soon friends with them. I went in search of Viji's polling booth (Roundtable Government School). Ria finds a similarity between bhooth nath and polling booth. The booth was located at Muslim Colony, Pilani Garden, one of the many slums in Bangalore. I could locate it with some difficulty. Lights were being put and the place was being cleaned as the polling agents had to sleep there for the night. I decided to check the place around and made a couple of small friends who were attracted by my camera. The PRO was kind enough to let Viji go home early.
On 28th March we woke up early as had to reach the booth at 5.30 a.m. Everyone was up already there. The PRO conducted a mock voting drill and all was set for the voting to begin at 7.00 a.m. After the voting began, I came back for breakfast as Ria was up and waiting for me. Slept for some time and then went back to the booth. Once the voting was over waited for the EVMs to be sealed. These were then taken to the main polling station and Viji had to accompany the EVMs.
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| Vijita Gandhi as APRO |
I reached Marina's home and I and Ria left for our home. It was a very tiring day. Luckily took a leave on Monday and slept the entire day.
