Mysuru: This is the election season and it is the duty of every citizen to vote. It is not enough if only the Government makes all effort to create awareness in this regard, citizens should also participate in this awareness drive and this is exactly what the owners of three shops on Kalidasa Road have done. They have fixed a banner in front of their adjoining shops with the messages in both English and Kannada that reads: ‘Voting is our Right, Voting is our Duty, Vote without Fail.’

Speaking to SOM about this initiative, former Joint Director of Information Department K. Vijayakumar, who resides in a nearby locality, said, “Owners of the three familiar business shops located at the junction of busy Kalidasa and Adipampa Roads in V.V. Mohalla — Koshi and Vergese of Apollo Electrix, Ode Raju of Upahara Dharshini and Sridhar of Elite Men’s Salon — have jointly displayed colourful banner above their shops to create awareness among people to vote without fail.”

“No doubt, it is attracting the people with the messages effectively written. They have become role models in this national campaign to create awareness among voters to cast their votes. Other business establishments in the city will probably join in the drive by displaying similar slogans,” he said.

Upahara Dharshini owner Ode Raju said that it is very important for every eligible voter to cast vote for the development of the country. “Many even today do not understand the importance of voting and their standard excuse is what is the point in voting or how does it benefit one. In order to remove such feelings from the minds of the people, this effort is going on. Every day hundreds of customers visit our shops and when they see the banners with messages in English and Kannada, they will be motivated to vote,” he said expressing confidence in their effort.