Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120259220300.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Shopping festival sees record sales

Staff Reporter

1,32,000 festival coupons ordered

Weekly prize of 25 sovereigns of gold
Mega prize winner to get 5 kg of gold

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As many as 1,32,000 festival coupons were ordered by various trade establishments on the first day of the 45-day Grand Kerala Shopping Festival that got under way on Monday.

This is a record of all sorts in the sale of festival coupons, according to Kerala Tourism. The South Zone, comprising Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts, is leading in the sales. The highest number of festival coupons were ordered by the Bhima Group.

The distribution of the prize coupons were launched at functions held in Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Idukki, Thrissur and Malappuram districts. In the capital, Cine Actor Maniyanpillai Raju inaugurated the distribution of the prize coupons at a function attended by festival director K.N. Satheesh.

Besides the ‘Scratch and Win’ prize at the shop, with each coupon the shoppers is eligible for the weekly draw and the mega draw. A weekly draw of lots will be held in North, Central and South Zone to select the prize winners. The first prize comprises 25 sovereigns of gold, the second prize comprises two sovereigns and the third prize one sovereign.

The first mega prize winner will get 5 kg of gold while nine second prize winners will get 0.5 kg of gold each. Traders will also get a first prize of 1 kg of gold and second prize of 0.5 kg of gold.