Hotels and restaurants in Bengaluru took innovative steps on Friday to promote voter awareness and encourage voter turnout during the Lok Sabha elections. Offering complimentary dosa, laddu, and watermelon juice to voters, establishments aimed to incentivize citizens to exercise their right to vote.
Initiative Highlights
- The initiative, valid for voters participating in the Lok Sabha elections, attracted people of all ages, who patiently waited in long queues to cast their votes.
- Nisarga Grand Hotel on Nrupatunga Road offered free butter dosa, ghee rice, and a beverage to voters.
- Deck of Brews in Bellandur provided a complimentary mug of beer and discounts to voters visiting on April 27 and 28.
- SOCIAL, a chain of pubs, encouraged voting by issuing bills with a message promoting voter participation. Guests returning these bills after voting received a 20% discount on their meal across all outlets.
- Rapido, a taxi aggregator, extended free auto and cab rides to differently-abled and senior citizen voters in Bengaluru.
Motivation Behind the Initiative
Prafulla Raya, owner of Deck of Brews, expressed the desire to reward voters for their participation in the electoral process, contributing to the nation’s development. Similarly, Divya Aggarwal, Chief Growth Officer at Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt Ltd, emphasized the importance of civic engagement and offered incentives to voters returning their bills after voting.
Impact on Voter Turnout
Such initiatives not only provide incentives for citizens to vote but also contribute to raising awareness about the importance of participating in the democratic process. By offering freebies and discounts, establishments play a crucial role in fostering a culture of active citizenship and civic responsibility among the populace.
