This election, cash your votes at Khan market
Traders in Khan Market, south Delhi’s posh shopping arcade, have come up with a novel idea, offering discounts on various products to customers who cast their vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in New Delhi on May 7.
If the idea of casting a vote to elect somebody whom you think does not deserve to represent you in Parliament does not excite you, then a cool discount on items should make you exercise your franchise.
Traders in Khan Market, south Delhi’s posh shopping arcade, have come up with a novel idea, offering discounts on various products to customers who cast their vote in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in New Delhi on May 7.
All you have to do is show the small black ink mark on your index finger at the billing counter to walk away with some exciting discounts ranging between five to 20 per cent.
Traders believe that people get attracted to discounts and schemes the world-over and it becomes a craze in India, even among those with deep pockets.
Shop owners want to cash-in on this very psyche of the Indian consumers to ensure that more people come out and exercise their franchise on poll day.
“In fact, even little children would coax their parents to go out and vote so that they could get toys, books and garments at a discounted price at their favourite stores in our market,” Khan Market Traders Association president Sanjiv Mehra said.
While the market will remain closed on May 7, the day of election, the discount will be offered for two days — May 8 and May 9.
According to Mehra, very few people living in residential colonies like Prithvi Raj Road, Amrita Shergil Marg, Jorbagh Golf Links and Sunder Nagar, which are catered by Khan Market for their household needs, come out and vote.
“We all complain about poor government or elected representatives but when it comes to election, we don’t come out to cast our votes. This is our humble effort to encourage people to come out of their houses to cast votes,” said Mehra.
According to the market association's senior vice president Brij Gopal Khosla, a circular has been distributed to restaurants and stores to participate in the initiative to promote casting of vote.
“We have just started a day before. Eleven stores have confirmed their participation already. We expect over 100 stores to join this initiative,” Khosla said.
Member of the market association said they would put up a huge board displaying names of stores and restaurants participating in this scheme at the gate of the market.