Taking centre stage on polling day at 99

PUNE: Ambutai Thorave, 99, rather prefers the experience of casting her vote lately since her age ensures she is treated as a celebrity, even if it is just for the day.
She cast her vote at the polling station at the Centre For Special Education at Shukrawar Peth on Tuesday morning.
Ambutai has voted in every election held since the country gained independence.“I have never missed voting, whether it is the Lok Sabha, assembly or even municipal corporation elections,” she beamed.
She was very insistent that she would press the button on the electronic voting machine (EVM) herself. Ambutai also makes it a point not to disclose which candidate or political party gets her vote. Even her family members remain unaware of her choice.
As has been the case over the last few elections, senior citizens have evinced a lot of zest in casting their vote even this year. “Senior citizens value their votes more than many youngsters. And they ensure that they vote mindfully,” said geriatric care experts Shilpa Wate and Medha Sangavikar.