At Two Feet Tall, Nikita Stands Tall for Democracy in Pune Polls

Pune, 7th February 2026: Voters across Maharashtra turned out in encouraging numbers for the ongoing Zilla Parishad and Panchayat Samiti elections, and in Pune district, polling witnessed steady participation from early Saturday morning. Amid the electoral enthusiasm, a heartwarming moment from Koregaon Bhima in Shirur taluka has captured public attention and become a symbol of inclusive democracy.

Nikita Manish Gadiya (21), who stands just two feet tall, cast her vote for the very first time on Saturday, drawing admiration from polling officials and fellow voters alike. Despite physical challenges, her determination to participate in the democratic process has been widely praised as deeply inspiring.

Within the first two hours of polling, Pune district recorded an average voter turnout of 7.74 percent, with strong early participation particularly in rural areas, where citizens queued up at polling centres soon after voting began.

At the Koregaon Bhima polling station, Nikita arrived with her family members and confidently exercised her franchise. After casting her vote, she proudly displayed her ink-marked finger, expressing joy at being part of the democratic process for the first time.

Polling staff and residents present at the centre applauded her spirit and confidence. “Every vote matters in a democracy,” said one official, noting that Nikita’s participation sent a powerful message about equal civic responsibility.

A video of Nikita voting has since gone viral on social media, with many users praising her courage, positivity, and commitment to fulfilling her civic duty. The incident has emerged as a motivating story, encouraging more people to step out and vote during the elections.

As polling continues across the district, stories like Nikita’s serve as a reminder that democracy thrives on the participation of every citizen — regardless of physical limitations.