{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Traveling 950 km by Ambulance With Rods in Both Legs, 64-Year-Old Woman Casts Vote in Rajasthan Panchayat Polls",
  "summary": "Overcoming severe physical constraints, 64-year-old Savitri Devi traveled from Vadodara to Badangarh in an ambulance to exercise her franchise in the panchayat elections.",
  "content": "A remarkable demonstration of civic duty and commitment to democracy emerged during the panchayat elections in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, where a 64-year-old woman traveled nearly 950 kilometers purely to cast her vote. Despite having surgical rods fitted in both legs, Savitri Devi refused to let severe mobility challenges keep her away from the ballot box, embarking on an interstate journey in an ambulance to exercise her franchise.\n\nInterstate Ambulance Journey from Vadodara to Badangarh\nSavitri Devi, wife of the late Bhagirathmal Sharma, originally hails from Badangarh village in Jhunjhunu. Her family currently operates a business in Gujarat, and she resides in Vadodara with her son, Vinod Sharma. When election schedules were declared and voting day arrived, she insisted on returning to her ancestral village to participate in the local democratic process. Because of surgical rods supporting both her legs, conventional travel across such a long distance by car, bus, or train posed major health and comfort hazards. Recognizing her determination, her family organized an ambulance to ensure she could complete the roughly 950-kilometer trip safely while lying down under supportive conditions.\n\nFamily Support and Arrival at the Polling Station\nSavitri Devi was accompanied throughout the journey by her son and social worker Vinod Sharma, daughters-in-law Radha Sharma and Anita Sharma, and grandchildren Sachin Sharma, Shivani, and Harsh. Upon completing the extensive drive from Vadodara to Badangarh, she reached the local polling booth and cast her vote in the village panchayat election. Her endeavor drew widespread praise from local residents and election observers alike, highlighting that voting is not merely a privilege but a fundamental citizen responsibility that transcends physical discomfort.\n\nAll Six Women Sarpanch Candidates Display Mutual Harmony\nThe election in Badangarh also stood out for another display of democratic sportsmanship. The post of village Sarpanch was reserved for general category women, featuring six candidates in the electoral contest. While elections often witness intense hostility and bitter rivalry, all six women contenders presented a united front at the polling location, appearing together in mutual dignity and respect. The collective presence of all contesting candidates, coupled with Savitri Devi's determination to travel across states by ambulance, made the Badangarh panchayat election a notable example of grassroots democratic integrity.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThis incident offers a powerful lesson on civic responsibility and the profound significance of electoral participation.\n\n• Voter Motivation: It highlights that casting a vote remains a crucial civic responsibility regardless of personal hardship. Citizens who often skip voting due to minor inconveniences are urged to re-evaluate their civic duty.\n• In Jhunjhunu and Badangarh: Local villagers experienced a renewed sense of respect for grassroots self-governance. The gesture has set an enduring benchmark for community voter turnout in upcoming local elections.\n• Elderly and Injured Voters: It emphasizes the immense determination of senior citizens to participate in elections. It also underscores the ongoing need for robust accessibility and support mechanisms at polling venues.\n• Electoral Harmony: The joint appearance of all contesting candidates shows that political rivalry does not require personal animosity. It serves as an example for conducting rural local elections with mutual respect and dignity.\n\nWhy this happened\nThis interstate journey occurred because an elderly citizen was committed to exercising her democratic right despite major mobility challenges. Strong family support and an abiding connection to her ancestral village drove her decision.\n\n• Primary Reason: Savitri Devi belongs to Badangarh village and was determined to cast her ballot in the panchayat elections. Because surgical rods in both legs prevented normal seated travel, her family arranged an ambulance for the 950-kilometer trip.\n• Family Background: While her ancestral home is in Rajasthan, her family runs a business in Vadodara, Gujarat. Once election dates were confirmed, she chose not to let physical distance stop her from participating in village governance.\n• Candidate Solidarity: The Sarpanch seat was reserved for general category women, drawing six female contenders. The candidates deliberately chose to appear together to foster mutual goodwill and project democratic solidarity over political animosity.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. How far did Savitri Devi travel to cast her vote?\nShe traveled approximately 950 kilometers from Vadodara in Gujarat to Badangarh village in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district.\n\n2. Why was Savitri Devi required to travel in an ambulance?\nShe has surgical rods fitted in both legs, making conventional travel over long distances physically unfeasible.\n\n3. Which family members accompanied her during the journey?\nShe was accompanied by her son Vinod Sharma, daughters-in-law Radha and Anita, and grandchildren Sachin, Shivani, and Harsh.\n\n4. What was the reservation category for the Sarpanch seat in Badangarh?\nThe Sarpanch position in Badangarh gram panchayat was reserved for general category women.\n\n5. How many candidates contested the Sarpanch election in Badangarh?\nA total of six women candidates contested the election and were seen standing together in a show of mutual respect.\n\nInspiration & Lessons\nSavitri Devi's determination illustrates that genuine resolve and steadfast family support can conquer substantial physical obstacles.\n\n• Unwavering Dedication: Traveling 950 kilometers in an ambulance despite having surgical rods in both legs demonstrates that civic commitments must be honored regardless of comfort.\n• Value of Family Support: Her family's willingness to organize medical transport shows how collective assistance empowers individuals to overcome acute limitations.\n• Dignified Rivalry: The united appearance of all six women candidates proves that electoral competition can thrive alongside mutual respect and grace.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/gujarat-se-rajasthan-taka-ambulance-men-950-kimi-ka-saphara-donon-pairon-men-rod-ke-bavajuda-bujurga-mahila-ne-dala-vote-53712",
  "category": "Rajasthan",
  "publishedAt": "2026-10-31",
  "tags": [
    "Panchayat Election",
    "Jhunjhunu",
    "Badangarh",
    "Savitri Devi",
    "Voting",
    "Rajasthan News"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia",
  "whatItMeansForYou": "This incident offers a powerful lesson on civic responsibility and the profound significance of electoral participation.\n\n• Voter Motivation: It highlights that casting a vote remains a crucial civic responsibility regardless of personal hardship. Citizens who often skip voting due to minor inconveniences are urged to re-evaluate their civic duty.\n• In Jhunjhunu and Badangarh: Local villagers experienced a renewed sense of respect for grassroots self-governance. The gesture has set an enduring benchmark for community voter turnout in upcoming local elections.\n• Elderly and Injured Voters: It emphasizes the immense determination of senior citizens to participate in elections. It also underscores the ongoing need for robust accessibility and support mechanisms at polling venues.\n• Electoral Harmony: The joint appearance of all contesting candidates shows that political rivalry does not require personal animosity. It serves as an example for conducting rural local elections with mutual respect and dignity.",
  "whyItHappened": "This interstate journey occurred because an elderly citizen was committed to exercising her democratic right despite major mobility challenges. Strong family support and an abiding connection to her ancestral village drove her decision.\n\n• Primary Reason: Savitri Devi belongs to Badangarh village and was determined to cast her ballot in the panchayat elections. Because surgical rods in both legs prevented normal seated travel, her family arranged an ambulance for the 950-kilometer trip.\n• Family Background: While her ancestral home is in Rajasthan, her family runs a business in Vadodara, Gujarat. Once election dates were confirmed, she chose not to let physical distance stop her from participating in village governance.\n• Candidate Solidarity: The Sarpanch seat was reserved for general category women, drawing six female contenders. The candidates deliberately chose to appear together to foster mutual goodwill and project democratic solidarity over political animosity.",
  "questionsAndAnswers": [
    {
      "question": "How far did Savitri Devi travel to cast her vote?",
      "answer": "She traveled approximately 950 kilometers from Vadodara in Gujarat to Badangarh village in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district."
    },
    {
      "question": "Why was Savitri Devi required to travel in an ambulance?",
      "answer": "She has surgical rods fitted in both legs, making conventional travel over long distances physically unfeasible."
    },
    {
      "question": "Which family members accompanied her during the journey?",
      "answer": "She was accompanied by her son Vinod Sharma, daughters-in-law Radha and Anita, and grandchildren Sachin, Shivani, and Harsh."
    },
    {
      "question": "What was the reservation category for the Sarpanch seat in Badangarh?",
      "answer": "The Sarpanch position in Badangarh gram panchayat was reserved for general category women."
    },
    {
      "question": "How many candidates contested the Sarpanch election in Badangarh?",
      "answer": "A total of six women candidates contested the election and were seen standing together in a show of mutual respect."
    }
  ],
  "inspiration": "Savitri Devi's determination illustrates that genuine resolve and steadfast family support can conquer substantial physical obstacles.\n\n• Unwavering Dedication: Traveling 950 kilometers in an ambulance despite having surgical rods in both legs demonstrates that civic commitments must be honored regardless of comfort.\n• Value of Family Support: Her family's willingness to organize medical transport shows how collective assistance empowers individuals to overcome acute limitations.\n• Dignified Rivalry: The united appearance of all six women candidates proves that electoral competition can thrive alongside mutual respect and grace."
}