My trip to Pune after Easter celebrations with my in-laws to exercise my democratic right to vote took me by surprise.

My polling booth was at ZP Primary School Kirkatwadi, Khadakwasla, which falls under the Baramati constituency, booth number 355.

So far so good. My name was on the voters list. Phew!

I went inside the booth to cast my vote. Inside the booth there were already six people present, who were probably on duty today. I showed my voter ID and Aadhaar card as proof. The next four minutes were probably the longest minutes of my life. The booth officers were busy with some paper work and I just stood there like an obedient child. Then, one of the duty officers asked me to show my finger for him to mark with the indelible ink.