By IANS,
New Delhi : Children can’t vote yet, but they can sure pester their parents to go and cast the ballot.
Perhaps realising this, radio station Big FM promoted by Adlabs Films Ltd is roping in children in Tamil Nadu capital Chennai to spread awareness on the importance of voting.
The radio station organised a walkathon by kids that was flagged off by the state’s electoral officer Naresh Gupta in the city’s upmarket Besant Nagar locality. The idea was that the kids would persuade their parents, especially middle class voters who often stay away from voting, to vote.
Lok Sabha elections for the 39 constituencies in Tamil Nadu will be held May 13.
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Amul’s very own take on ‘jhappi’
Amul never fails to be in with the times. And with the word “jhappi” – meaning hug – attracting controversy in political circles, an ad by the milk producers’ cooperative could not be far behind.
“Bread butter ki jhappi,” says the advertisement with the cartoons of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati. It shows Dutt extending his hands to Mayawati.
The ad takes off from remarks by the actor, who is Samajwadi Party leader, that he wanted to give a “jadu ki jhappi” and “pappi” to Mayawati, chief of the rival Bahujan Samaj Party.
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Politicians are hottest topic on Delhi streets
The heat is on, politically and weather wise. So talk on the Delhi streets inevitably veers towards these two things.
“Tea and discussions about politics is our favourite pastime,” said Teeku Ram, a 28-year-old autorickshaw driver who was sitting at a tea stall in the R.K. Puram area of south Delhi in the afternoon.
“Most politicians make false promises. All are the same. No one is here to see what they can do for the poor. They just want to fill their pockets,” said Teeku Ram.
“These days, we are just discussing the temperature and the political weather of the country — who will win, who will become prime minister and who has really amassed millions,” he added.
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Journos take a break – with cricket
These are some of the busiest days for journalists covering the Lok Sabha elections. But nothing like cricket to keep them in good spirits.
Despite the heat, some young journalists covering the Congress party could be seen playing a game of cricket on the sprawling lawns of the party office in their free moments – to ease the pressure of election coverage.