Amid the cacophony of high-profile political campaigns dominating the narrative of the upcoming 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a Padma Shri awardee is taking a unique approach to campaign in the Tiruchirappalli Lok Sabha constituency.
S Damodaran, 62, a native of Tiruchirappalli, is running as an independent candidate under the symbol of a gas stove. Rather than relying on traditional methods, Damodaran is engaging directly with the community, interacting with vegetable vendors, crafting flower garlands, and even participating in the sale of vegetables at Gandhi Market in the city.
His grassroots campaign aims to connect with voters personally and resonate with their everyday experiences.
"I am an Independent candidate from Trichy constituency. I am the son of the soil. I belong to Trichy City. I have worked in the sanitation centre as an Associate Service volunteer for over 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," Damodaran told ANI.
He added, "I have been working in the sanitation centre as an 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. I was involved in providing access to water and sanitation facilities in rural and urban areas."
He said he started social service at the age of 21 and had served during the tenure of nine prime ministers throughout his lifetime.
"I started my social service at the age of 21 when Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India. I have come across nine prime ministers in my lifetime. I worked under all centrally sponsored rural sanitation programmes and made every village a role model village," he said.
Speaking about his unique campaign, Domdaran 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."
If voted to power, one of his key objectives is to make Trichy clean. "We need to work to make Trichy a clean and green city. People demand a Ring Road for the city as it is centrally located, and many buses and transport vehicles cross Trichy. We are also working on flyovers at important areas in Trichy City."
The central government honoured S Damodaran with the Padma Shri, a prestigious civilian award, for his outstanding contributions to the field of social work.
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