Teens urge candidates to fulfil promises

Chennai: DMK’s long-time spokesman T.K.S. Elangovan was jolted out of his siesta on Wednesday by a group of schoolchildren, seeking assurance from him that he would redress their problems if he were elected.

“We told the MP that many of us fall ill frequently because of the dump yard at Kodungaiyur. Also, there is acute shortage of drinking water through the year. He heard us patiently and said that he would help,” said Plus-Two student P. Manickam, who was part of the six-member team that went to meet TKS.

Ennore boy B. Vignesh of Class 8 was in the team that caught up with Marxist candidate U. Vasugi during the campaign in her North Chennai constituency.

“We pointed out that while relocating the slum dwellers and fishermen’s families from coastal areas to new settlements, the government failed to open a sufficient number of  anganwadis in the neighbourhood. She assured us that she would give this attention if voted to Parliament,” said Vignesh.

The students on this unique campaign hailed from different parts of the city and varying backgrounds. A voluntary organisation working with kids, called ‘Arunodhaya Children’s Sangam’, is coordinating the initiative, which is the brainchild of a few students. Many  volunteered with their time despite their board exams.

“We will meet all the candidates from all the parties in all the three constituencies in Chennai. We are also distributing handouts. We will ask our elders to vote for those who show genuine concern towards the issues we raise. We will work for good candidates,” said Sumathi of Royapuram after meeting North Chennai DMK candidate Girirajan. “We are demonstrating to show that elections are not just an elders’ affair.”

“After the election, we will go back to the candidates and tell them that as MPs, they must take up those issues in Parliament,” said Vignesh.