Tulip festival inauguration
Delhi LG Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the 12-day Tulip Festival at Shanti Path, alongside Netherlands Ambassador Marisa Gerards and NDMC officials.
Symbol of friendship
Ambassador Gerards highlighted that tulips, the national flower of the Netherlands, symbolize the strong friendship between India and the Netherlands.
Massive tulip plantation
NDMC imported 3.25 lakh tulip bulbs from the Netherlands, planting 2.25 lakh across the city, with 1.46 lakh at Shanti Path alone.
Tulips across Delhi’s parks
Tulips are now blooming at 20 DDA parks and key locations like Central Park, Nehru Park, Lodhi Garden, Talkatora Garden, and Mandi House.
Reducing dependence on imports
India is making strides in local tulip production, with 15,000 bulbs cultivated in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, aiming to reduce imports within four years.
Tulip sale
For the first time, NDMC has potted one lakh tulip bulbs for sale, available at locations like Lodhi Garden, Nehru Park, and NDMC nurseries.
Growing indigenous tulips
Through trials with the Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology–CSIR, 14,735 bulbs were successfully cultivated in Himachal Pradesh for the festival.
A tulip named ‘Maitri’
As a mark of Indo-Dutch cooperation, a special tulip variety has been named ‘Maitri,’ symbolizing friendship between the two nations.
Annual floral tradition since 2017
NDMC began planting tulips in 2017-18 with just 17,000 bulbs as a trial, and today, the festival has become a significant yearly event in Delhi.
Delhi’s floral charm
LG Saxena praised citizens for admiring the tulips without damaging them, making the festival a success and preserving Delhi’s floral charm.