SHIMLA: Independent India’s first voter Shyam Saran Negi cut cake for the first time in his life on his 100th birthday on Saturday. Not only his family members and relatives but officials from district administration were also present for the celebrations at his residence at Kalpa in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh Considering the harsh winters and early snowfall a decision was taken to hold the voting in Kinnaur on October 25, 1951 ,while elections were held in other parts of the country elections in January and February, 1952. Then election material was carried to the polling station of Kinnaur on mules, where Shyam Saran was the first person to cast his vote in the firstever parliamentary polls in the Republic of India Since 1951, Negi has never skipped casting his vote. It was in 2010 that then chief election commissioner of India Navin Chawla visited Kalpa village to felicitate Negi, In 2014, Himachal Pradesh state election commission appointed him as their brand ambassador to create awareness among young voters to participate in the electoral system.Negi, who retired as a school teacher in 1975, became known globally after Google uploaded his video for its #PledgeToVote campaign during 2014 parliamentary elections in India. Negi became a household name as he was shown narrating the story of October 25, 1951, when he had stepped outside to walk towards the polling station despite heavy snowfall.Negi in the video had also revealed whether snow or rain he had always made it a point to cast his vote. True to his words in the video, Negi had voted in 2014 parliamentary election despite his poor health, and to salute his determination, Kinnaur district administration had accorded him red carpet welcome at the polling booth amid the sounds of drum beats.According to sources, his family members had held special prayers according to Buddhist traditions by calling monks from local monastery who read religious scriptures throughout the day to bless him for a healthy life.