Bengaluru eatery provides free dosa, juice to 6,800 voters

April 26, 2024 / 10:02 PM IST

From the early hours of the day, snaking queues of voters out to claim their free dosa were seen outside the central Bengaluru restaurant.

Nisarga Grand Hotel on Nrupathunga Road in Bengaluru on April 26 distributed free benne Khali dosa, ghee laddu, and juice to voters on April 26.

From the early hours of the day, snaking queues of voters out to claim their free dosa were seen outside the central Bengaluru restaurant.

Also Read | Lok Sabha polls: Show inked finger for free dosa and discount at Bengaluru restaurants; Rapido offers no-cost bike taxi rides

SP Krishnaraj, owner of Nisarga Grand Hotel told Moneycontrol, "We served complimentary food to 6,800 people from 7 am to 6 pm. Many people who visited our place across the city said polling stations lacked basic amenities like drinking water but they were happy after visiting us."

The inception of the concept of offering free food to those who cast their votes began during the 2018 assembly polls, he said. "A group of youngsters who visited the restaurant were hesitant to cast their votes. I tried to convince them, and they asked if they would receive free dosa if they cast their vote. I agreed. Then they said they would bring their friends. I assured them that I would provide complimentary food to everyone who voted. It's our democratic right and a celebration of democracy."

Burger joint Philly's, near Marathahalli, Outer Ring Road, offered a 30 percent discount on burgers and milkshakes to the first 100 customers displaying their inked finger on April 26 while Wonderla Holidays rolled out a 15 percent discount on tickets for voters. Deck of Brews in Kadubeesanahalli, Bengaluru, has promised to treat its first 50 guests with a free beer on April 27. The offer will be extended to only those who cast their votes

Other eateries in Bengaluru which offered complimentary items to voters on polling day include Malgudi Mylari Mane (free Mylari dosa and filter coffee), Cafe Udupi Ruchi (free mocktail), Iyengar's Oven Fresh Bakery (10 percent discount), Kamat Hosaruchi in Orion Mall and Lulu Mall (10 percent discount).

The Karnataka High Court permitted establishments of the Bruhat Bangalore Hotels Association to provide complimentary food to voters showing proof of voting on April 26.

Karnataka recorded a 69.2 percent voter turnout across 14 constituencies in Lok Sabha polls, while Bengaluru's turnout was only around 53 percent.

Separately, app-based mobility aggregator Rapido partnered with the Election Commission of India (ECI) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to offer free bike taxi rides to all citizens and free auto and cab rides to differently-abled and senior citizen voters in Bengaluru.

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