New Delhi, Mar 17: From pitch to polls, it was sixes for democracy and everyone was bowled over by inclusivity.
To promote voter education and inclusivity, the Election Commission of India (ECI), in collaboration with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), orchestrated an exhibition cricket match between the Indian Deaf Cricket Association (IDCA) team and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) team.
The match was played at the Karnail Singh Stadium in New Delhi.
The occasion witnessed the declaration of Sheetal Devi, a distinguished para-archer from J&K and recipient of the Arjuna Award, as the National Icon in the Persons with Disabilities (PwD) category.
The event was attended by Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, along with Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar and Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, who honoured the victorious team amidst a jubilant atmosphere.
Former Indian cricketer, Nikhil Chopra was invited as the special guest alongside officials from DDCA and IDCA, adding to the vibrancy of the occasion.
This cricket spectacle epitomised the commitment of the CEC towards inclusivity, harking back to his pledge to the Indian Deaf Cricket team during the T20 Champions Trophy victory in the UAE on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2022.
His vow to sponsor a match for the Indian Deaf Cricket Association team with mainstream cricket teams was fulfilled through this event.
With a crowd of 2500 spectators, including PwDs and young voters, the match showcased spirited performances from both teams.
Despite the DDCA team clinching victory by 69 runs (scorecard DDCA 190/5; IDCA 121/8), the overarching triumph was the message of inclusivity and unity.
The resounding message of ‘Nothing like voting, I vote for sure’ reverberated throughout the event, underscoring ECI’s dedication to inclusivity and empowerment, encouraging voters with disabilities to engage in the electoral process actively.
The event concluded with a performance by the ‘Shining Star Music Band’ – a band featuring visually impaired musicians.
Alongside, the commission launched a dedicated voter’s guide for PwDs and senior citizen electors, providing essential information and procedural details for a seamless voting experience.
These initiatives align with the commission’s commitment to PwDs, including optional home voting, provision of free transportation on polling day, accessibility checklists at polling stations, and awareness campaigns.
The event concluded with a stirring rendition of the national anthem in sign language by students from the Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre, marking a poignant conclusion to a day dedicated to inclusivity and empowerment.