MP village has 'Speaker' who gives voice to politicians on campaign trail

Pankaj Kewat and his rickety, old Mahindra jeep are highly sought-after these days in Shivpuri district.

As Lok Sabha candidates visit remote villages in the area lacking facilities of a proper public address system and an electric power source, Kewat, locally known as 'Speaker', provides services as 'mobile DJ' to them.

The 22-year-old has converted his rented jeep by mounting around six boomboxes and aluminium loudspeakers on it. The DJ system is powered by a diesel generator and it is the only resource for candidates in the villages.

He also deejays at weddings and other functions in 20-30 villages in the area as sometimes villagers cannot afford booking costly band parties based in the city. Many times the parties also refuse to travel on the dirt tracks in the interiors.

"I have been running this loudspeakers and console fitted jeep business for about two years after I found local people needed a dance and music system for weddings and other family events and were facing ...