New Delhi: When falling poll percentages are a worry for most political parties, a group of college girls in Delhi have taken to street plays to encourage youngsters to vote.

"We have already performed a street play at several places across the city. Though youth are aware about the importance of their vote, they do not vote. Our main aim is to encourage them to do so," Radhika Vyas, president of drama society 'Abhivyakti' at the Indraprastha College for Women, told IANS.

The 2007 polls to elect members to the Delhi Municipal Corporation saw just about 40 percent turnout and sources in political parties say the party which mobilises more voters is likely to win in the Nov 29 assembly elections in the capital.

The group of 11 college girls from different courses has also performed at the Lady Shri Ram College, India Habitat Centre and Gargi College.

The 15-minute street play addresses the attitude of youngsters to keep criticising the government, while they themselves do not vote and choose a government of their choice, says Vyas, a third year English Honours student.

The play also talks about the "degradation of the Hindi language." People look down upon the language and those who speak it, besides regional parochialism like the recent incidents against north Indians in Maharashtra.

When the group performed Wednesday at the bus stop near the Central Secretariat metro station, it was greeted with loud cheers by onlookers.

An onlooker, Mahak Chawla, 25, who saw the play at the metro station, said: "Such a street play is a very good step to make people aware. The youth knows that it is important to vote, but develop cold feet on the day of polling."

Lalima Chhabra, who is also a part of the street play group, said: "We have received a terrific response from people. We intend to perform at more places."

 

Source : IANS