Rock concert to motivate youngsters to vote

Bangalore, Mar. 18 (ANI): In a bid to motivate youngsters to participate in the democracy's biggest exercise 'General Election 2009', a five-city rock show-cum-awareness drive called 'shut up and vote' was launched in Bangalore on Tuesday.

Janagraha and Tata Tea announced the campaign across the nation, as a part of their ongoing nationwide rock concert by an Indian Rock Band- Thermal and a Quarter.

"This is a campaign of the people, of the youth, by the youth for our nation. We are saying that we cannot build a great country without building a great citizenship. And with the citizenship we are talking about the youth and as a first step towards this is cast your vote. Do not discourage from the political process and expect magically that things will change," said Swati Ramnathan, member of self-help group 'Janagraha'.

A special music video 'Shut up and vote' has also been developed by the Bangalore-based rock band.

"There are some good people out there...then there may be not so good people there. But again it is left to you, you've got to step up and be counted. You've got to step up and do what you can, with just go out and vote. So that's the way we have rounded off the song, we say it is eventually up to you, you and I as young people should go out and make the difference," said lead vocalist and guitarist Bruce Lee.

Rock bands 'Thermal and Quarter' will tour five metropolitan cities-- Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkatta, New Delhi and Mumbai. (ANI)