Flower power
Many a person has experienced such emotions on seeing beautiful flowers. Be it the rose or the chrysanthemum, the magnolia or orchid, flowers have a universal appeal. And with the festive season of Eid-ul Fitr and Diwali coming around soon, some flower sellers of Dhaka are upbeat about market prospects.
Says one flower vendor on Kemal Ataturk Avenue: 'We will have a sales turnover of Taka 1-1.5 lakh during the Eid period. The profit works out to around 40, 000.' Others say that while they have had lower sales because of the Ramadan, demand will pick up during the Eid holidays.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Popular floral gifts, say the vendors, are tuberoses (rajnigandha) from Jessore (Taka 3 each), roses from Savar (Taka 5-10 each), gladiolus from Savar (Taka 10 each) and orchids from Bangladesh and Thailand (Taka 20 each). The favourite is, of course the gladiolus. Says a flower seller, ' Gladiolus lends an aesthetic appeal to a house. The colours are so varied that they go with any interior.'
The market for flowers is growing rapidly both locally and on the export front. Explains a write-up on the Internet: 'The country has a favourable climatic condition and is capable of producing a wide array of cut-flowers and foliage of international standard. Improved methods of transportation also help this perishable merchandise reach major market destinations within the shortest possible time in as fresh a condition as it is at the time of harvesting.'
There is a flourishing international flower market which could open up to Bangladesh, particularly for varieties such as roses, tuberoses, gladiolus, carnation, gerbera and a host of orchids. Developed countries like the US, Japan and EU find flower shopping from Bangladesh an attractive option, since they can buy duty free. Investment in flower cultivation in Bangladesh is profitable because of a friendly business environment and inexpensive labour.
Clearly in this festival of joy, one can take the time off to contemplate the marvels of nature. Be it the exquisite red rose, the fragrant magnolia or the splendid orchid, flower power is here to stay.