20ft garlands from 200kg flowers, petal showers bring extra biz in poll season

Pune: On a bustling street, a massive garland hangs from a crane as hundreds of party workers await their leader's arrival. When he finally appears, the crowd showers him with flowerss and smaller garlands, while the 20ft tribute becomes a colourful centerpiece of the celebration.Kaluram Thorat, the creator of the jhendu-sevanti-gulab masterpiece, is proud."It takes an entire day to craft these garlands. From the design of the garland to the choice of colors and flowers, every detail is the result of our collective creativity. I have orders from two parties for 25ft garlands after the election result is out," said Thorat, a farmer and an artisan based in Alandi. Each garland is made by combining 5-6ft garlands into a 20ft creation. It requires four to five people to lift. Once completed, the garlands are transported to rallies in tempos, added florist Rahul Tamhane. This year, elections coincided with the wedding season, keeping florists, flower farmers and artisans on their toes. Amol Sarpale, who is in the flower business, said five years ago, elections were not such a grand affair. "We use 200kg marigold, chrysanthemum, and Ashoka leaves. Each garland is around Rs30,000-Rs35,000. It takes five hours to craft the final product," he said. Sarpale's team made five such garlands for leaders like Bhor's Congress candidate Sangram Thopte and BJP's Pune candidate Hemant Rasne and others. Once the rally ends, Sarpale's team collects and disposes of the flowers. Congress state vice-president Mohan Joshi said nearly 100 large garlands were crafted across the district this year for various parties. "New ideas spread quickly through social media. One popular trend is ‘phulancha varshav' (raining of flowers)," he said. MNS general secretary Ajay Shinde said, "The trend of large garlands has given a boost to the market and benefitted farmers. Social media helps promote it," he said.BJP city president Dheeraj Ghate said citizens welcome candidates with garlands, rangoli, and ‘pushpa vrushti' (showering of flowers).Prashant Kade, a wholesaler in Market Yard, said he had sold over 30,000kg flowers.Dadasaheb Kade, head of the flower section in Gultekdi Market Yard, said there is a slight increase in sales, between 10-15%, during the election period. "Each big garland requires about 150-200 kg of cut flowers like marigold, chrysanthemum and roses. Flowers are also used for stage decorations, bouquets and for showering candidates. But these are only for big politicians. Wholesalers sell flowers to the rally organisers and they place orders either for garlands or to shower them. These flowers are taken in trucks," he added.