Thaindian News

New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) Radhika Sharma, a 19-year-old student has two reasons to rejoice Thursday. One, she has cast her vote for the first time and second, her inked index finger is all she needs to avail ‘democracy discounts’ being offered by various retail chains, cinema halls and restaurants in the national capital.
“I couldn’t wait for Thursday to dawn. To begin with I am a first time voter and I really wanted to do my bit in order to bring the change that we all keep talking about. Also, the fact that retail giants were offering discounts to anyone who cast their vote is an added incentive,” Sharma told IANS.

“My mother and I have scanned the newspaper where all the stores offering discounts have given their ads and have decided on a trip to Big Bazaar and then to Bikanervala for a meal,” she said excitedly.

A number of retail stores, amusement parks, cinema halls and restaurants are offering ‘democracy discounts’ to anyone who has cast their vote.

Well known food chain Bikanervala has announced a 15 percent discount in its restaurants from May 7-9 to anyone who has voted in the elections. Khan Market-based book store Full Circle and Cafe Turtle have also announced election special schemes.

Similarly, multiplex chain PVR cinemas have offered discounts on their meal combos to people who have cast their vote.

“We are not offering discounts on the tickets. But on meal combos - and we have a whole range of them - we are offering a 50 percent discount,” an official of the PVR cinemas told IANS.

Amusement park Splash Water Park is also offering a rebate of Rs.100 to whosoever flashes their inked finger.

However a number of stores are offering their discounts May 8-11 and not everyone was aware of it.

“After I cast my vote in the morning, I and my friend went to Khan market to pick up a few books from Full Circle which said will be offering discounts. However, we were shocked to see that the market was closed. Later we found out that most of the stores would be offering the discounts Friday onwards,” Sakshi Mehra, a PR professional said.

Devarshi Das, a student added: “I sent a message to the customer care number of Bausch and Lomb which has announced a free pair of contact lenses on showing the ink mark. However I didn’t get any response from them.”