Malls and eateries woo voters with discounts

LUDHIANA: Even as 'appreciation certificates' were handed out to first-time voters after they exercised their franchise, there was more in store for them. Restaurants and branded clothes showrooms were falling over themselves to woo the voting debutants with their fabulous discounts, even a day after the polling. The district administration -- in a unique bid to encourage voting among the citizens -- tied up with the Ludhiana Association of Hotels and Restaurants, with the latter only too willing to oblige.
Those aware of the discounts were already in a party mood, as they went to the stores and eating joints with a group of friends raring to go. For many others, it was a surprise to get branded clothes and fine dining options on discount. After the inked selfies on social networking sites, the new trend in the city is showing the inked fingers to avail discounts. The discounts offered by many brands and a few restaurants and bakeries were like the icing on the cake for voters, elevating further their happy mood on the day of polling and a day later (Thursday).
Many restaurants and bakeries offered discounts of 10-20% to their inked customers even a day after the polling. For this reason, markets and malls were throbbing with life in the evening hours, and roads too were choc-a-bloc with traffic as Ludhianvis stepped on the gas to flood the shopping centres and enjoy their holiday.