Mammoth garlands add glitz & glamour to TN poll fiesta

FLOWER garlands have always been a part of the poll fiesta in Tamil Nadu, but they seem to have undergone a humongous transformation this time with mammoth ones weighing several kilos and costing lakhs turning out to be showstoppers at the poll campaigns.

- S KUMARESAN

While flower traders are laughing all the way to the bank because of the 'hefty' orders, social activists are livid at the practice of welcoming leaders with these massive garlands using cranes and earthmovers amid crowds as any mishap can endanger lives.

A Karunanidhi, a flower trader, said the options available include garlands made of chocolates, fruits, and even currency notes.

While a 100kg rose garland may cost around ₹25,000, the minimum cost of a 100kg chocolate garland may be ₹30,000 depending on the chocolate used.

Sources said while on an average 60 garlands of 100 kg size are purchased by political parties per day in Chennai, bigger ones weighing more than 300 kg are also being bought quite frequently.