Shimoga: Election staff go the ‘milky way’ to create awareness

Shimoga: With election fever gripping Shimoga parliamentary constituency, the district administration is coming up with innovative measures to inspire people to exercise their franchise in the general elections.

In one such campaign, the Shimoga Milk Union Limited (SHIMUL), a unit of Karnataka Milk Federation, is putting details of poll dates along with an inspiring message on all milk packets using a rubber seal. According to district information officer Himanthraju, SHIMUL produces 1.30 lakh milk packets per day and the same is supplied through the district comprising in half and one litre packets.

The seal says: “Lok Sabha Election – 2014, 17th April, 2014 – Exercise your franchise and also bring your friends and relatives for voting – District Administration, Shimoga”

This message will continue to be printed on milk packets supplied till April 17 throughout the district. When contacted, SHIMUL authorities told Deccan Chronicle on Sunday that the project is being worked out and will be implemented after obtaining approval of KMF. To print the slogan on milk packets, the machines in the packing section in Shimoga milk dairy have to be reset.

Similarly, post cards, cellphone caller tunes, ring tones and SMS will be utilised to create awareness among people on the importance of voting. Apart from this, awareness programmes will be conducted at polling stations, taluk offices, local offices, colleges and hostels. Students will be appointed as ambassadors to create awareness on voting among people. Elocution and debate competitions on voting will also be organised in colleges.

Pamphlets and stickers containing information on the importance of voting will be pasted on KSRTC buses and autorickshaws. Street plays, jathas, torch-light processions, signature collection campaigns, Rangoli competitions for women and other events will be conducted to create awareness on voting.

• SHIMUL, a unit of Karnataka Milk Federation, is putting details of poll dates along with an inspiring message on all milk packets
• The message will continue to be printed on milk packets supplied till April 17 throughout the district
• To print the slogan on milk packets, the machines in the packing section in Shimoga milk dairy have to be reset
• Similarly, post cards, cellphone caller tunes, ring tones and SMS will be utilised to create awareness
• Pamphlets and stickers containing information on the importance of voting will be pasted on KSRTC