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“India’s first voter” dies

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The man dubbed “India’s first voter” has died at the age of 105.

Shyam Saran Negi is thought to have been the first person to cast a ballot when India held its first general election after gaining independence from British rule.

Mr Negi has voted in every election since then.

The centenarian had cast his ballot just three days ago before his death on Saturday, in the assembly elections for his state of Himachal Pradesh.

The retired teacher is thought to be the first person to vote in an independent India because his state opened polling booths five months early in 1951 for the 1952 election to avoid heavy snow.

The result was a landslide victory for the Indian National Congress and Jawaharlal Nehru became India’s first democratically elected prime minister, following nearly 100 years of British colonial rule between 1848 and 1947.

Earlier this week, officials from the Electoral Commission laid out a red carpet for Mr Negi when he cast his postal ballot ahead of the 12 November election.

Indian media reported it was the first time Mr Negi had not attended a polling booth, opting to post his ballot instead due to ill-health.

In 2014, Mr Negi was made a brand ambassador for the Electoral Commission in a bid to encourage voting and starred in a Google video encouraging people to vote in the year’s general election.

As he posted his papers on Wednesday, India’s The Tribute newspaper reported that Mr Negi made a statement urging young people to vote.

“Youth should come forward to participate in the democratic process as it is not only our right but also our duty to participate in the elections by exercising our franchise,” he was quoted as saying.

Speaking at an election rally on Saturday, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mr Negi. The government has said he will be cremated with full state honours at his village in Kalpa.

(BBC News)

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Date announced for Grade 05 scholarship exam

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The 2023 Grade 05 scholarship exam will be held on 15 October, the Department of Examinations says.

Accordingly, the exam will be held at 2,888 centres across the country, Commissioner General of Examinations – H. J. M. Amith Jayasundara said.

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Nadeesha wins Silver at Asian Games

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Nadeesha Dilhani Lekamge has won the silver medal in the women’s javelin throw event at the 2023 Asian Games currently being held in Hangzhou, China.

She won the silver with an impressive throw of 61.57m which is also her personal best.

India’s Annu Rani won the gold medal in the event while China’s Lyu Huihui won the bronze medal.

This is the first athletics medal for Sri Lanka at the Asian Games in 17 years and only the second medal for the island nation so far this year.

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Fish processing unit at Oluwil to be leased

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The cabinet has previously given approval to reactivate the unused fish processing plant in the Oluwil fishing port premises and provide facilities to the TES (Private) Company Limited to run fish processing activities.  

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries to lease the fish processing unit located in the Oluwil Ports Complex to TES (Private)  Company Limited for a period of 10 years subject to the relevant rent being charged monthly, as recommended by the Cabinet Appointed Negotiation Committee.

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