Who says 'Love' is not in the air? Demand for roses shot up

Who says 'Love' is not in the air? Demand for roses shot up during 'Vasant weeks' 

New Delhi

The depressed mood of the citizenry could be still around due to Covid19 and some real time challenges because of the pandemic, but love is very much in the air during the Vasant season or the Valentine's timing.

The demand for roses during the Valentine season in the domestic market has seen a considerable 

rise, officials say. 

"Bengaluru is the biggest exporter of roses in India. At the Bengaluru airport, we take pride in becoming a 

channel to aid the local community, growers and shippers by facilitating shipment of their produce 

while maintaining freshness," said a statement from the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL).

Domestic shipments witnessed a significant improvement, increasing to 3.15 lakh kg (6.5 million stems) 

as against 1.03 lakh kg in 2021, recording over 200 per cent growth.

Around 2 lakh kg (7.3 million stems) were exported to international destinations this year as against 

1.7 lakh kg in 2021.

Spreading the fragrance of roses across the globe, the Bengaluru airport facilitated the movement of 

approximately 5.15 lakh kg of roses to 25 international and domestic destinations as against 

2.7 lakh kg shipped in 2021.

"Our cargo infrastructure, powered by technology, provides rapid distribution of perishable cargo, making it the preferred cargo airport in south India. We will continue to work with our cargo partners to introduce new initiatives and facilities that cater to the constantly evolving demand," said Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Strategy and Development Officer, BIAL.

Among the top international destinations are Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, London, Amsterdam, Kuwait, 

Auckland, Beirut, Manila, Muscat and Dubai.

In FY 2020-21, the Bengaluru airport with a cold-chain handling capacity of 60,000 metric tonnes emerged as the top airport in the country for perishable shipments, processing 48,130 metric tonnes of perishables.

The top domestic destinations for roses from Bengaluru include Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Guwahati and 

Chandigarh. 

Vasant Panchami is a festival of Hindus and Sikhs that marks the beginning of preparations for the spring season.

Saraswati Puja dedicated to the Goddess of Learning also falls on this day. This year Vasant Panchami fell

on Feb 5.

The season of Spring also marks the emergence of flowers and the breeding of animals. 

Important and much sought after flowers in this season are roses, tulips, daisies and lilies. 

The chirping of the birds in the early mornings and the buzzing of the bees offer a soothing 

feeling after a long winter's silence. 

Children enjoy picnics and the season is also perfect for hiking and nature walks.

Melting of snow is another attraction during the season.

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Family-based parties would have made Kanpur, other areas 'mafiaganj' : PM

New Delhi

In a critical phase of campaigning in the politically sensitive Kanpur region, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday made a blistering attack on 'family based parties' and said left to them they would have promoted mafia-rule in Kanpur and other such areas.

"If they had their way, these people and leaders would have made Kanpur and other such areas in UP,  a 'mafiaganj' mohalla. Now their 'mafia-giri' is counting its last breath," the Prime Minister said addressing a BJP rally in Kanpur rural region.

Voters in Vrindavan: AFP/UCAN snap 

"These 'parivaar-vadi' want to give power to these mafias again. People of Uttar Pradesh will

need to stay alert," he cautioned. 

He further pointed out at the Samajwadi Party's flirting with different parties in different elections.

"When they keep changing their allies, then how will they serve the people of Uttar Pradesh?...

Earlier governments looted the people of the state," he said.

The reference was to the Samajwadi Party trying out with the Congress in 2017 assembly polls

and then failing again after having an alliance with the BSP of former Chief Minister in 2019 Lok Sabha

polls.

The Samajwadi Party-led by former CM Akhilesh Yadav has in the 2022 polls aligned among

other smaller parties with the RLD of Jayant Chaudhry.

Voting for 55 key seats in western UP is taking place on Monday (Feb 14). In the first phase

on Feb 10, polling was conducted in 58 assembly segments - predominant strongholds of the

Jat community. Of the 113 seats in the first two phases (Feb 10 and Feb 14), the BJP had bagged

as many as 91 in the assembly elections five years back.

Enthusiastic to return to power - something that has not happened in the state since 1985, the 

BJP has promised a job for at least one member of each family and free electricity for farmers.

In his address, the Prime Minister said, the 'Parivaarwadis' will again be defeated by the people 

of Uttar Pradesh. 

"The festival of colours- Holi will be celebrated in Uttar Pradesh on March 10 itself," the PM exuded

confidence. 

Handling of the law and order situation and getting criminals behind the bars are expected to 

favour the saffron party in the fiercely contested elections.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's government has tightened curbs on slaughterhouses and among 

things regulated use of loudspeakers and also brought in a law against "love jihad", the alleged masterplan 

by the Muslim organisations and individuals to 'mislead' Hindu young women into marriage in order to 

convert them to Islam.

The poll outcome in UP is being seen in many quarters as a virtual semifinal ahead of 2024 parliamentary elections when PM Modi is likely to seek a third term.

The Prime Minister also said before 2017, UP had ration scams every other day. 

They made lakhs of fake ration cards. The Double engine government ended this fake ration card scheme. 

Today, hundreds of people in the state are receiving ration free of cost. Stoves of my poor sisters 

and mothers will never be turned off," Mr Modi said. 

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Telangana BJP leaders, others flay KCR's remarks on surgical strike

Nirendra Dev

New Delhi 

A host of Telangana BJP leaders including Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy 

and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have castigated TRS supremo

and the Chief Minister of the southern state for his remarks on surgical strike

against Pakistan in 2019.

Reddy strongly condemned the ‘irresponsible’ statement of K Chandrashekhar Rao against the 

armed forces and lamented - “The fact that this came in on the eve of the anniversary of the Pulwama 

attack shows the insensitivity, irresponsibility, ignorance and that is unbecoming of a Chief Minister".

“Isn’t the valour of Abhinandan Varthaman proof enough? Isn’t Pakistan’s own actions of declaring a no 

fly zone in their own air space for more than 6 months after Balakot proof enough? If these are not 

enough then KCR can seek proof from the Pakistan PM Imran Khan directly,” wrote Reddy, who represents 

Secunderabad parliamentary seat in Telangana.

BJP national vice president D K Aruna, who also hails from Telangana, said “It is highly unfortunate that we 

have a Chief Minister like KCR who has no qualms about uttering incendiary statements against our 

hardworking, dedicated forces". 

The TRS chief KCR had lashed out at Assam chief minister Sarma and demanded his dismissal for making 

certain remarks against Rahul Gandhi in context of surgical strike.

Himanta also hit back. 

“In spite of this you question the valor of our Armed forces and insult them. Why are you so desperate to attack and 

malign our Army? New India will not tolerate insults against our Army,” wrote Sarma sharing a video.

He further wrote: “Such a disgrace! On the anniversary of the Pulwama attack -Opposition has chosen to insult our martyrs by again questioning the surgical strike. KCR & Cong is in competition to prove their loyalty to the Gandhi family. Our loyalty is with Bharat.Those questioning the armed forces won’t be spared". 

KCR had virtually tried to defend Rahul Gandhi's remarks on the surgical strike.

The statements have some political significance as the BJP has made inroads in Telangana where until recently,

the Congress was KCR's principal opponent. 

“There is nothing wrong with Rahul Gandhi asking for proof of the surgical strikes. Even now I am asking. 

Let the Government of India show. It is their responsibility. Telangana chief minister had said on Sunday.

In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had won four seats as against nine by TRS. Compared to the 2014 mandate,

TRS lost three seats and for the saffron party there was a net gain of three seats. 

 

Now, the TRS fears that by 2024, the Lotus party could emerge as a major competitor against it in the state.

Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan, a lawmaker from Kerala who represents

Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha, also described KCR’s remarks on surgical strike as an insult to 

brave soldiers who took part in the operation.

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