A large number of families on Sunday thronged Rose and Jasmine garden on the second day of flower and bird show organised by Islamabad Horticulture Society and Capital Development Authority (CDA).
The Rose and Jasmine garden looked beautiful as flowers of different types were displayed. The residents of twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi started arriving at 11am, told a tea and juice stall holder.
A number of families brought their movie cameras and were seen making movies of the colourful flowers and birds. Children' interest was only birds, especially talking parrot, owl, hens and parrots of different origins. Anyhow, for children's entertainment swings, slides and glides have also been installed.
A gardener, who is deputed to work at the garden told that a number of families visited only on Saturday and Sunday but during the exhibition a large number of families, visited the garden. He said, another reason was that people have found some respite from the wave of terrorism that was prevailing and keeping citizens to confine in their homes.
Vendors were selling different items especially for children including balloons, ice-cream, popcorn, burger and tea etc. Visitors talking to PPI said such kind of healthy activities should be promoted as these help promote natural beauty. They lauded the step of Capital Development Authority (CDA) and Islamabad Horticulture Society for organising the flower and bird show.
Fazal-ur-Rehman, a visitor said that he was fully enjoying the holiday. He said he used to visit Rose and Jasmine garden with his friends but feeling immense pleasure to see beautiful and colourful flowers displayed in different styles.
He also said that birds of different species also attracted people.
He said prices of birds were out of common man's reach and one could not imagine to purchase even a parrot as it was being sold at Rs 4000 to 5000.
He complained that management of the garden had increased the rates of tickets of all swings to Rs 20 from Rs 15. He said eatable items were also being sold at higher rates.
Abid Hussain, government employee said that apart from beautification, flowers and roses were great source of recreation and entertainment for the residents and such exhibitions encourage people for plantation of flowers at their homes. He said there was need to arrange such type of flowers and birds show to promote recreational and healthy activities among the people.
The flowers show is being organised by the Islamabad Horticulture Society in collaboration with the Capital Development Authority in connection with the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Islamabad.
This show would continue for three days and prizes would be distributed among the winners. Many government, semi-government and private organisations and individuals are participating in the show.
Around eighty varieties of flowers are being exhibited in the show. The organisations participating in this show are Capital Development Authority, Khan Research Laboratories (KRL), Pak PWD, Islamabad Club, Indonesian Embassy, Pakistan Air Force Hospital, National Highway Authority and Pakistan Motorway and Highway Traffic Police.