I WAS 14-years-old when India amended its Constitution to lower the voting age for its electorate from 21 years to 18 years. I was thrilled at the thought of being able to vote in four years time.

Back then, a young and handsome politician, Rajiv Gandhi, qualified as my "favourite" - an adjective overused by teenagers around the world for anything that catches their fancy.

It was at the end of 1992 that I turned 18, so I was not able to vote in the 1991 polls.

The opportunity for me to vote did not arise until the 1995 General Elections. But, by then I was over the whole euphoria of getting my first finger stained with ink - which signifies that a ballot has been cast.

Voter's finger is stained with ink during the current Indian elections.
SOURCE: AFP

In a display of arrogance, I declared that I was not going to cast my ballot because none of the politicians then were good enough for my vote.

My father was furious at my decision.

He lectured me on the importance of that one ballot, and how the onus lies on the educated lot of the country to ensure that India gets good leaders to rule the country. He chastised me for being a snooty, know-it-all, who will eventually regret her decision.

All that fell on deaf years, and I stuck to my stance.

Next day, as I proudly talked about my abstinence, all my friends flaunted the ink stain. A pang of regret struck my heart but I was too proud to let it show on my face.

It was not long before I got a chance to correct my mistakes.

Entering the field of journalism, politics had already caught my fancy and experience had drilled some sense into me. I have voted at least four times since, in elections ranging from Parliamentary, to State to Local municipalities. But, I realised that though my attitude had changed, my ideas had not.

I found myself voting for personalities rather than political parties. It required just one inspiring candidate to motivate me to queue up outside the ballot stations for hours and exercise my franchise. Over the years, many such candidates have pushed me towards the voting booths.

Though I cannot name them for the fear of exposing my ever-changing political affiliations, they have ranged from  a former prime minister to an experienced old gentleman of my Mumbai north constituency to an independent candidate who carried an aura of integrity and purpose.

This time too I was very excited to vote. A well-qualified, deeply respected senior politician on India's political landscape motivated me to go to the Indian Embassy here and inquire about the provision for expat votes. Unfortunately, there was none.

I guess, India is too huge a country, and Indians too spread out around the world, for Indian embassies to extend such priviliges to its overseas citizens worldwide.

Imagine arranging for a few thousand expat Indians to vote for just one of the 5000 candidates scattered over the country. It's an infinitesimal amount compared to the 714 million voters in India itself.

But, lets's not forget that there is one polling booth erected for a single voter in a remote constituency of Gujarat state, where five officials will travel through thick forests to enable him to cast his vote.

All this because it is his right, because it is their duty, because that one vote is precious and because that is the beauty of democracy in India. Everyone's right to vote is recognised.

I hope Indians back home realise that they are a part of history in the making and go out to get their fingers stained. They owe it to us expats who are deprived of the honour.

Read more about the current Indian elections: 16 killed in Maoist attacks, Millions head to the polls in India and More in lower castes to vote in Indian election.