Restaurant chain's offer: Show inked finger, get free coffee

Bengaluru: While various organisations have come up with events to encourage voters to go out and exercise their franchise on May 12, a restaurant chain in the city has come up with a plan to reward those who cast their votes.

Vasudev Adiga hotel chain has put up posters across all their outlets in the state announcing that people who have voted will get a free coffee on May 12 from 7 am to 7 pm. 

An official from the hotel told Deccan Chronicle, “Any one who has voted will have to buy something from our hotel and flaunt their inked finger and we will provide them free coffee or tea.” 

He added that the restaurant come up with this idea to ensure that every one out there goes and votes. This is a minor gesture from us. When asked about the reason behind such an initiative, the official said, “It has been observed that there is low voter turnout, when compared to the population of the state. We would like everyone to vote, as it will help in electing the right candidate. The city and state will also witness a positive growth from every perspective. This idea will surely help in creating awareness and people will go to vote and earn their free coffee.”

Earlier Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had printed the poll date on the tickets and even flashed the message on the LED screens inside the buses, to ensure that the commuters are aware about the election date.

Similarly Karnataka Milk Federation too started printing the polling date and requesting people to exercise their franchise. A KMF official said they had discussed the idea with Election Commission officials. 

We decided to print it on Nandini milk packets as almost every household buys it. 

Hence the message will reach to a wide section of people, he added.