Stalin inaugurates flower show in Ooty

Udhagamandalam: Chief minister M K Stalin on Thursday inaugurated the 127th edition of annual flower show and the renovated Fern House at the govt botanical garden in Ooty. Established in 1894, the Fern House was renovated at a cost of Rs24.6 lakh.

Stalin visited all the floral structures, mostly made of roses, carnations and chrysanthemum, across the garden. Themed around royal, the highlight of the show is the replica of a royal castle that is 25ft tall and 75ft long feet long, and made of two lakh roses and carnation flowers.

Other attractions include floral structures of a divine swan, an elephant, a throne and Kallanai, among others. At least 40,000 flower pots with various varieties of bloom are on display. The flower show will conclude on May 25.

Stalin visited all the stalls put up by various govt departments and interacted with the people incharge of them. He also witnessed tribal dances by Todas, Kotas and Badagas that were part of the inaugural function.

"The flower show is spectacular and a treat to the eyes and the mind," said Kumarakurubaran, of Salem.

Ahamed Yusuf, another visitor from Calicut in Kerala, said the show was worth a visit.

Ministers M R K Panneerselvam and M P Saminathan, TN chief whip K Ramachandran, Nilgiris MP A Raja and Nilgiris collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru were present at the event.

Earlier, during a road show from Thamizhagam to the govt botanical garden, Stalin accepted greetings from the DMK party cadres, workers and the public.