After casting her vote, Shrija departed for Delhi in the evening, preparing to return to the United States
In a remarkable show of civic responsibility, Shrija Verma, a network consulting engineer based in North Carolina, USA, made a brief journey back to Ranchi solely to cast her vote in the ongoing assembly elections. Her swift visit on Wednesday underscores her commitment to exercising her democratic rights despite living abroad.
A resident of Ashok Nagar in Ranchi and a voter in the Hatia constituency, Shrija believes that voting is not just a political process, but a celebration of democracy. “This election is a festival of our democratic rights, a chance to shape our state’s future,” she said, underscoring the importance of every single vote.
Her brief yet impactful visit highlights the dedication of non-resident Indians who remain deeply connected to their homeland, striving to contribute to its democratic journey from across the globe
An alumna of DPS Ranchi and BIT Mesra, Shrija moved to the United States in 2017 to advance her career. Her father, Sunil Verma, is a retired chief general manager at MECON, while her mother, Rajyashree Verma, teaches at SR DAV School in Ranchi. Despite her career and life abroad, Shrija maintains close ties to her roots and takes an active interest in India’s democratic processes.
When asked about her criteria for selecting candidates, Shrija shared that she considers multiple sources, including media coverage and the candidates’ manifestos, with a focus on positive local developments. Her priorities include progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public security—key issues that influence her perspective on the elections.
Reflecting on her hometown, Shrija noted that Ranchi has made strides in urbanization, but ongoing challenges, such as traffic congestion and environmental issues, require urgent attention.
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