Politics of hate should end

On the polling day, some of the well-known faces in the city showed up at polling stations to cast their vote. The Tribune reporter Amarjot Kaur caught up with them to know what the election meant to them and their view of the city’s future in next five years

This election is very important as the future of institutions in the country, democracy and its social fabric has to be preserved. We, as artistes, have knitted the city’s social fabric by respecting its diversity. The politics of hate should end. The Open Hand Monument symbolises the hand to give and the hand to take, peace and prosperity, and the unity of mankind. It must be preserved.—GS Channi, Punjabi actor, Thespian

Free the city of divisive politics 

This is a crucial election between two forces — one about modernity, progress, arts and humanity and the other regressive and reactionary. It is not an election between people but ideologies. The city should be freed of divisive politics. Law and order, traffic control, better transportation, housing and dignity of life weigh on my mind when I think of the city’s future. — Neelam Mansingh, Theatre personality

Poll saw jarring TV debates 

I have been voting since 1947 and in the city, since 1958. The most disturbing thing about this election was jarring, abusive TV debates. I ran 80 international races and before every event, we would wish the best to our contenders. That’s sportsmanship! It is not just education and transport that need immediate improvement, but we need more sports centres too.— Milkha Singh, Flying Sikh, Padma Shri 

Voted to voice my mind out 

In the past five years, a lot of things have troubled me. So I voted to voice my mind out. For me, voting means to keep the flicker of hope alive in our crumbling social, political and religious systems. I feel there should be a special focus, this time, on mass transit system, growing traffic problems and the issue of parking lots. Also, cleanliness has emerged as a big issue.—Savita Bhatti, Actor

To vote is a duty, not to be avoided

What made me vote was the Election Commission’s official handle, which promoted the polls as “Desh ka mahatyohaar”. For me, it is “Desh ki maha zimmedari”. Unlike a festival, you should not avoid it as it is the one chance when we get to have our say. I hope in the next five years, Chandigarh makes questioning a habit.— Dub Sharma, Singer, lyricist, composer