Flower show: A tribute to jawans

Bengaluru: As part of the 72nd Independence Day celebrations, a floral tribute will be paid to the Indian armed forces at the 208th Lalbagh Flower show that will be held from August 4 to August 15.

This year's theme 'Sevege Guvravarpane' (showcase the freedom fighters), has been chosen to inculcate patriotism and inspire children to join Indian Army, said Y.S. Patil, Director of Horticulture Department.

The flower show will be inaugurated on August 4 at 10 am by Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, Deputy Chief Minister Dr. G Parameshwar, with Horticulture Minister M.P. Managoli as chief guest.

The show will be categorized into three sections. One with 17 attractions including Amar Jawan Jyothi, ISRO Satellite launching vehicle and war missile models, a sweet memory of 'Kannada Cinema-85' and vertical garden around the light house. 

The second one will be outside the glasshouse which will have seven attractions including a dancing peacock, mega floral flow and hanging flowers. Lastly, six attractions will be in the selected areas of Lalbagh, which will have an exhibition of 200 old wood carving and fruits and vegetable attractions.

The exhibition will showcase more than 87 varieties of seasonal flowers, such as Medinilla, Anthorium, Orchids, Vinka, Bougainvilla and Impatience and various plants.

Patil also said that the children are requested to come on the weekdays so that the crowd can be controlled. "We will have free entry for school children and specially-abled people, apart from four public holidays in that week.  Use of plastic is strictly banned. We have spent around Rs 2 crore and are expecting around 6 to 7 lakh visitors this time," he added.

Entry fee hiked
The entry fee for the flower show has been increased by Rs 10. In addition to the GST, the ticket price which was Rs 60 earlier will be Rs 70 for adults, while the children's fee will remain the same.

"We were fined Rs 1.4 crore for last time's flower shows due to GST. However, the horticulture department has requested for the exemption of this fine and to overlook at the GST on the tickets," Patil said.

High security
More than 100 CCTV camera will be installed at the venue. One ACP, three inspectors, 150 policemen, 100 home guards, two  KSRP patrol, along with one hand post will be deployed. H. Srinivas, a senior police officer said, “We will also have an outposts inside the park.”