Voters get 'thank you' gesture from private entities

Mumbai: Private entities like restaurants, cafes, hotels, shops, beauty parlours, laundry services and many others gave discounts to the customers as a thank you gesture for voting. In Mumbai on Monday’s polling day, various private entities and individuals carried various initiatives to encourage voters.

In Gorai's Swami Vivekanand School an officer on election duty, Sandesh Jadhav told The Asian Age that he had booked one taxi to bring handicap and old aged voters who had difficulties in walking towards polling booth. He initiated the act with help of three volunteers and one public co-ordinator to help senior citizens and the handicap.

Meanhile, Anand Sawant, a 63 year old handicap man was distributing water at an election booth in Colaba with his friend Surendra Murkute who is paralysed for three years.  

“It is your duty to do something for the society,” Mr Sawant, who since 2009 is serving the society by providing food and water during elections and also festivals, said.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shaina NC said, “It is very appealing for people specially new voters. Voting should be made fashionable. As the restaurants and shops take initiatives, the corporate office also should give incentives for voting to employees. We should apply more and more unique ways to increase the voting percentage. People should choose their government and strengthen the democracy.”

Hotels like Kohinoor in Andheri, Subway outlets, Bata outlets were offering discount to people who showed their inked finger.

A famous snacks outlet in Thane, Prashant Corner was offering discount on a mango drink and it saw huge rush of voters. While, Paaneri garment shop in Dadar saw at least 45 customers by 5 pm, which is offering 15 per cent discount on dresses and sarees till May to customers who show their inked finger.