Shimla, Nov 24 (IANS) Piyara Singh’s hopes of casting votes in the next general elections along with his wife Hansa Devi have come to an end.
Hansa, 103, with whom he shared his life for 87 years died Sunday at her residence in a village located on the outskirts of Dharamsala town in Kangra district, some 250 km from state capital Shimla.

Family members said Hansa Devi died of heart failure. She was cremated in the village on the same day.

“Hansa Devi died Sunday morning due to a heart failure. She collapsed all of a sudden while talking to family members,” said B.S. Rana, Hansa’s eldest son.

Piyara Singh, 105, a World War II veteran, and Hansa Devi got married in 1922. They were believed to be the longest wedded couple in the state. Piyara Singh is now staying with his fourth generation. He has 92 family members.

In the May general elections, they had cast their votes together.

While Piyara Singh reached the polling station at Dharamsala on foot, the wife was carried by her eldest son.

“We have been casting votes since the first elections held in India (1952). We would love to participate in the next (general) elections too,” Piyara Singh had said after casting his vote in May.