Independence Day flower show at Bengaluru’s Lalbagh Garden to celebrate life of B R Ambedkar

Preparations for Independence Day at Lalbagh. (File photo)

“The theme is especially close to my heart,” said Kusuma G, deputy director of horticulture at Lalbagh Botanical Garden.

“As a woman, I feel I am here because of Babasaheb Ambedkar’s contributions. He worked so much for the equality of all, upliftment of the downtrodden, and women’s rights that we thought we must pay him tribute,” added Kusuma.

Lalbagh hosts two flower shows yearly to celebrate Republic Day and Independence Day. The internationally acclaimed flower show exhibits more than 2,400,000 cut flowers, 100,000 potted plants, and over a hundred different varieties of flora, such as roses of various colours, chrysanthemums, lilies, and petunias.

Preparation for the event begins four to five months in advance with the acquisition of over 50,000 types of flowers from nurseries in Bengaluru, Ooty, and Pune. More than 500 individuals, including gardeners and staff members, work tirelessly to make a flower show of this magnitude achievable.

B R Ambedkar’s grandson Bhimrao Yashwant Ambedkar and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will inaugurate the show at 10 am on August 8.