Vegetable selling Padma Shri awardee sets an example in campaigning
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Tiruchirappalli: An independent candidate for Tiruchirappalli Lok Sabha constituency in Tamil Nadu says he is getting ‘wonderful reception’ wherever he goes for campaigning, news agency ANI reported.
It has to do with the fact that S Damodaran, 62, is not just another candidate, thanks to being a Padma Shri awardee for his services in sanitation sector.
Damodaran, who calls himself ‘son of the soil’ reaches out to people, while selling vegetables and flower garlands.
His humble campaigning perhaps strikes a chord with the people, making them stop and listen to him.
‘I am an Independent candidate from Trichy constituency. I am the son of the soil. I belong to Trichy city. I have been working in the sanitation centre as Associate Service volunteer for more than 40 years. I started my career at the age of 21. Now I am 62. At the age of 60, I got the Padma Shree award from then President of India Ram Nath Kovind for my work in the sanitation sector,’ News agency ANI quoted Damodaran saying.
In the midst of the state witnessing a pitched fight on poll front, Damodaran is gaining attention for humble style of campaigning.
He was reportedly seen seeking votes at the city's Gandhi Market from people and vegetable vendors.
Damodaran told the news agency that he has been a Associate Service volunteer for more than 40 years and involved in ‘providing access to water and sanitation facilities in rural and urban areas.’
He said he began social service when Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi was in office and has seen nine prime ministers his life time, adding that ‘I worked under all centrally sponsored rural sanitation programmes and made every village a role model village.’
About the reception he is getting during campaign, he said: "Today I have started my campaign in the Gandhi Market area, which falls under my parliamentary constituency. I am getting wonderful reception wherever I go."