Soon, head to Lalbagh to see India Gate in full bloom

Soon, head to Lalbagh to see India Gate in full bloom

Odeal D'Souza

Flower lovers are going to love the forthcoming Flower Show 2010 at the historic Lalbagh Gardens in Bangalore city, which is also part of Independence Day celebrations. The horticulture department is ready, and preparations for this year's Independence Day are on in full swing.
Organised by the Karnataka state horticulture department, the popular flower show aims to bring people together to enjoy nature and know more about the variety of flowers and plants grown in and around the city. "The preparations have been on for 15 days now," N Jayaram, the director for the department, said.
The flower show will be inaugurated on August 6 and will be on till August 15.
The flower arrangements this year will have lot more to offer than the one in 2009. Unlike last year, this years flower show aims to display protected cultivation with high-value flowers. More than 300 varieties of flowers will be on display, Jayaram said.
"Our special attraction this time will be the floral replica of India Gate," he said. "We want to salute an Indian monument on the eve of Independence Day. This will also be a mark of respect for all the martyrs and freedom fighters of our country," Jayaram said. "More than three lakh flowers from all over Karnataka have been bought for this arrangement."
The officials of the department noted that floriculture had become a commercial activity. "There are more varieties grown in the pots than before," an official, who did not want to be named, said. "Private companies will exhibit their different varieties of plants at the show. Since August falls in the rainy season, there will be many flowering plants on display that bloom during the rains. One of them that will be specially introduced this time will be 'Mini Orchids'," the official said.
The event will also see many competitions. Rangoli competitions with flowers, and Ikebana and Dutch arrangement competitions will be held from August 7.