GETTING READY: Preparations are on for the annual flower show in Bangalore. — Photo: K. Murali Kumar

Bangalore: The Republic Day Flower Show this year promises to be different. The Department of Horticulture has selected as the theme for this year, lesser known fruits or minor fruits as horticultural experts call them. The Mysore Horticultural Society will back the efforts. There will also be displays of flowers of the not-so-exotic varieties at the show to be held between January 20 and January 26.

Participants from various regions of the country have been invited to participate. To add a touch of novelty, a specialist from Lucknow, known for delicacies based on amla, will offer amla laddus and amla burfis, turning this Vitamin-rich but rather tangy small fruit into something different.

Another participant from Pune will show different blends of amla juices, known to be good for diabetics besides a nutritional supplement for the healthy. Amla-based pan and chocolates will be among his special creations.

Director of Horticulture Vasanth Kumar says, "Amla is fast becoming a popular `minor fruit'. It can be grown without much water and it is suited to dry land conditions. With the kind of demand now in the markets, the growers can also expect a good income.''

"Udupi Mallige, a variety of jasmine grown in the coastal regions, will be among the notable attractions in this year's flower show. Not many know about this variety of jasmine which can be easily grown in the backyard,'' Mr. Vasanth Kumar says.

The Horticulture Department plans to promote the flower as a cultural heritage through promotions at the event. Informative pamphlets will be distributed to interested visitors and the methods of growing the plant explained to them.

Illumination of the gardens and the painstakingly restored Lalbagh Glass House, a multi-media presentation at the Fossil Park, laser displays and exclusive landscaping of the show areas will be other highlights.

The entry fee is Rs. 15, and the flower show will be open between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Special arrangements will be made for groups of students from schools.

He said 42 stalls have been booked for the flower show and there will be 25 other stalls where books related to gardening, exotic plants and herbal home remedies and related subjects will be on display and sale. There will also be stalls selling organic fertilizers, seeds and implements.

Participants will include experts from the University of Agricultural Sciences in Bangalore and Dharwad, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research and Indian Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Organisation.

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