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It's roses all the way...
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Bearing down the burden of providing shelter to its burgeoning population, Delhi is expanding in all fours. However, in the process, avenues of enjoying open space are getting limited. The Garden of Five Senses near Saket can be a ready option for a relaxed, tranquil feeling, suggests SANGEETA BAROOAH PISHAROTY... .
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THOUGH THE city of Delhi is expanding in all directions owing to the mounting population graph, there seem not as many avenues for the denizens to enjoy a `natural outing' keeping in tandem with the expanse. The wish to be in natural surroundings has its limits, most likely ending at the India Gate lawns, or perhaps at the local Zoo or maybe a visit to a neighbourhood park. And, if you insist, let's include Dilli Haat too in the bracket bearing in mind its open-air food joints offering countrywide fare and ware, and maybe Appu Ghar for children's sake. Even a walk along the Ridge is no treat now considering the litter it is sodden in.
Also, at this point, let's resist the oft-seen tendency to compare Delhi with Mumbai. Agreed Mumbai has its sea line and so be it. But, can we not think of some more natural space for the people to breathe easy and laze around for a family outing without investing a fortune on it? Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation Limited say, they have done so and are now ready to welcome Delhiites to one such place.
Attractively named as `The Garden of Five Senses', the joint effort of the departments is, as the name suggests, a garden, encompassing a sprawling area located at Said-ul-Ajaib village in the vicinity of centuries-old Qutb Minar. Flaunting varied species of plants and shrubs, the garden is also equipped with a solar energy park keeping in mind children's recreation needs. Motorised by solar energy, it has cycles, cars, a solar drum and a slide for the young lot besides quiz computers. Also, for those wanting to include food with fun, the garden has two food courts all set to dish out an array of cuisines to the visitors.
But what stands out at the garden is its wide expanse dotted with attractions like elephant pool, a water fountain with many a rock shaped as a herd of elephants at the entrance, dead tree parts made into fountain poles, sculptures and murals by leading artistes, terracotta pots, a king size wind chime with about 500 bells ringing away, a tall pinwheel tree shining like a silver pole in the sun, a tree museum housing varieties of palm and cacti, the spiral walkway leading to Neel Bagh or Lily Pool and a formal garden patterned on the lines of Moghul Gardens.
Manoj Kumar, Deputy Manager, Public Relations, Delhi Tourism, elaborates, "it was once a barren land encroached by the village residents. The authorities have taken up the garden project after clearing it of encroachment and went ahead with a plan to keep the imagery suggested by the name Garden of Five Senses. The idea has been not to build just a park but a created space with variety of activities calling for public interaction and exploration." As per the plan, parasol trees such as the local Kikar spread all over the site, have been left untouched to provide shade. The rocky ridge with thorny Ber bush has also been kept intact. Only the lower part of the area has been designed to explore various forms, texture, colour and fragrance through planting no less than 200 varieties of plants and shrubs.
The Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, formally inaugurated it this past week, which coincided with the 16th Garden Tourism Festival held annually.
"Though the festival is held at the Talkatora stadium every year, this year, the three-day bonanza was shifted to the Garden of Five Senses to send across the message to the people that here opens an open space for them to have a relaxed time," adds Kumar.
Let's hope the information is received by those for whom it is meant. But anyway, any news about the existence of an open breathing space in progressively becoming cramped Delhi is good news, is not it?
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