https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Pink is the Colour for Women Empowerment in Puducherry

Showcasing the many capabilities of women, the District Election Officer and Collector of Karaikal district, Arjun Sharma, initiated five ‘Pink Polling Booths’ in the district, a move which has been appreciated widely.
Indian Masterminds Stories

The 15th legislative assembly elections in 30 constituencies of Puducherry commenced on April 6, 2021. During the same time, a noble initiative was taken by the District Election Officer and Collector of Karaikal district, Arjun Sharma, one which focussed on women empowerment by giving them equal opportunities during the elections.

‘Pink Polling Booth’ was set up in the district at five locations, which was completely operated by an all-women team comprising the Presiding and Polling officers. In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, IAS officer Mr. Arjun Sharma spoke about the objective of launching the initiative and how it would help in the overall development of women in the district.

THE IDEA

Mr. Sharma said “The overall responsibility of conducting the elections in any district resides with the District Election Officer. The major task is to conduct the elections smoothly, ensure all the facilities to the people, as well as proper functioning of the machines.There are several things like this which we have to supervise while conducting elections in the district.”

“Setting up of ‘pink polling booths’ during election comes under the guidelines of the Election Commission of India. Our idea behind setting up five such booth in our district was nothing but to give a renewed push and focus, so that we can show that the idea of women empowerment can be showcased through the elections,” he added.

Among the 234 polling booths in the district, five pink polling booths were set up in Varichikudy, Selloor, and Neracy and two in Karaikal town.

THE OPERATION

While speaking about the role of women in these polling booths, Mr. Sharma said “All these polling booths were fully managed by an all-women team. The presiding and polling officers were given general training of how to conduct the voting procedure smoothly.”

The polling booths were decorated with pink balloons, and tables were also covered with pink draperies. The women officers allotted at the polling booths were also dressed in pink costumes, to add to the overall mood.

Pink Polling Booths

“Polling at all the stations was conducted in a smooth manner and I myself visited the pink polling station during the voting day. I found the lady officers posted there were quite confident and were running the process smoothly,” he added.

Mr. Arjun Sharma inspecting the booth on voting day

It was also a successful initiative of the administration in allotting these women officers in five polling booths as they delivered good results. These particular stations, managed by an all-women team, recorded 80 percent polling.

THE RESPONSE

The response to the women-centric initiative was quite encouraging, as the people residing in the Karaikal district appreciated the step taken by the administration to promote women in all the sectors. Mr. Sharma said, “This initiative will go a long way as it will boost the confidence in women who strive to achieve their goals in whatever field they are in. It will also showcase that the women are equally capable of managing things not only in their private life but in their professional lives as well.”

A small initiative, but perhaps waiting to be replicated in other regions of India as well.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Mohan Yadav
CM Mohan Yadav Transfers ₹653 Crore Relief to Over 8.8 Lakh Farmers in 13 Madhya Pradesh Districts
India Wins ISSA Award
India Wins ISSA Award 2025 for Expanding Social Security Coverage to Over 940 Million Citizens
President Murmu Receives Diplomatic Credentials
President Droupadi Murmu Receives Credentials from Envoys of Canada, Mauritania, Luxembourg, and Slovenia
Ministry of Defence
Defence Ministry Awards ₹46.19 Crore Contract for Anti-Drone Systems, Delivery Expected by March 2026
air marshal AP Singh
India Destroys 10 Pak Fighter Jets, 2 Runways, Multiple Radars in Operation Sindoor; Precision Strikes Brought Pakistan to Its Knees, Says IAF Chief
MRPL_Mahatma_Award_
MRPL Honoured with Mahatma Award 2025 for HR Innovation and Social Responsibility
Modi Independent Day Speech
PM Modi to Launch Youth-Centric Skilling and Education Initiatives Worth ₹62,000 Crore on October 4
"My UPSC Interview: From Dream to Reality" Portal
What Is 'My UPSC Interview' Portal? All About UPSC’s Centenary Year Initiative to Share Real Officer Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr G K Goswami IPS
Everything you ever wanted to know about e-murder, e-dacoity and data safety
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Ravikant Meena on IFS Preparation, Optionals, and Life in Forest Service
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
How Siddhartha Saxena Cracked UPSC CAPF AIR 326 Against All Odds
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Live Interaction
From Cut-off Dates to Coaching & Reforms: UPSC Chairman Ajay Kumar Assures Aspirants of Fairness, Transparency & a Future-Ready UPSC | UPSC@100
A Century of Service: The UPSC’s Landmark Year Begins. Chairman Ajay Kumar on UPSC’s Centennial: “Merit,...
Giriraj Parihar MPPSC 2024
From Constable to Deputy Collector: Giriraj Parihar’s 9-Year MPPSC Journey | Farmer’s Son, Brother to Five Sisters
From a jail guard to MPPSC 2024 Rank 8, Giriraj Parihar’s nine-year journey of self-study, hard work,...
Ankit MPPSC 2024 Rank 3
From Village Dreams to Deputy Collector’s Chair: Meet Ankit, MPPSC Rank 3 Hindi Medium Topper
Ankit, a Hindi-medium aspirant from Balaghat, secured Rank 3 in MPPSC 2024 and became Deputy Collector...
Social Media
World Rhino Day India
On World Rhino Day, IFS Officer Parveen Kaswan Shares Rare Insights - India Now Hosts 80% of the World’s One-Horned Rhinos
September 22 Marks Global Call for Rhino Conservation; India Holds 80% of World’s Greater One-Horned...
Parag Madhukar Dhakate
Relentless Rains Wreak Havoc in Dehradun: IFS officer PM Dhakate Warns Citizens Amid Flash Floods
Cloudbursts in Dehradun triggered flash floods. IFS officer Dr. PM Dhakate warned citizens to stay indoors...
Forest Guard Tiger Encounter
Tigers Clash in the Wild as Forest Guards Capture Rare Footage , Retired IFS Mohan Pargaien Posts Viral Video
Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien shares viral video of three tigers brawling in Ramnagar, as forest...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Mohan Yadav
CM Mohan Yadav Transfers ₹653 Crore Relief to Over 8.8 Lakh Farmers in 13 Madhya Pradesh Districts
lg-add-e1685729851149
Dr. Pawan Kotwal: How Ladakh’s First Chief Secretary is Shaping Governance and Development
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr G K Goswami IPS
IFS Ravikant Meena UPSC IFS
Siddhartha Saxena UPSC CAPF
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT