77th Independence Day flower show at Lalbagh off to a start

BENGALURU: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the 77th Independence Day flower show at Lalbagh on Thursday. The theme this year is the life and times of Baba Saheb Dr B R Ambedkar and the special attraction will be a replica of the new Parliament building.

Speaking after the inauguration, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the flower show depicts creation of the Constitution, Ambedkar’s struggles, his conversion to Buddhism and other aspects of his life. “Ambedkar fought for equality all his life and the Constitution he drafted has become a model for many other countries”, he said.

Ministers Ramalinga Reddy, Zameer Ahmed Khan and Chickpet MLA Uday Garudachar were also present.

The grandson of Dr Ambedkar, Bhimrao Yeshwant Ambedkar was the chief guest at the inauguration and the flower show will be on till April 19. Next to the Glass House, a replica of Ambedkar’s birthplace at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh has been created with 3.6 lakh roses, 2.4 lakh chrysanthemums and 3.4 lakh other varieties of flowers.

For the annual flower show, 8.6 lakh flowers have been brought in from other states and Rs 2.8 crore has been spent on creating the installations. About 8-10 lakh visitors are expected at the flower show this year.

In view of the flower show which will be on for 12 days, changes in traffic flow have been put in place around Lalbagh.

The Horticulture Department has appealed to visitors to make use of BMTC buses, Metro and cabs as traffic congestion is expected on Lalbagh road, Dr Marigowda Road, KH Double Road under Wilson Garden traffic police limits. There will also be restrictions on parking of vehicles.