3.25 Lakh people visited Raj Bhawan in 11 days

RANCHI: About 3.25 Lakh people have visited the Raj Bhawan Garden during the 11-day period when the gates were opened for the common people. ‘Such was the enthusiasm and response of the people that the garden was kept open for one extra day than its stipulated period of ten days,’ Raj Bhawan sources said, adding that maximum visitors (90,740) were recorded on February 5, 2012. Majority of the visitors, who thronged inside the garden included women and children. Governor Syed Ahmed had instructed the authorities to plant many new varieties of fl owers in the garden to further beautify it. ‘On his instruction two new fountains were constructed and repair and maintance was carried out on the old fountains,’ sources said. To further felicitate the visitors, the governor had instructed that old aged person and handicapped and disabled people be taken around the garden in battery operated cars. ‘Kids too had a great time while riding these battery operated cars,’ sources said. Ahmed had ordered the gates of the Raj Bhawan garden to be opened for masses from January 31, 2012 to Feb 10, 2012. During the period people had the rare chance of visiting the Rose garden, Akbar, Buddha, Ashok and Indira Gandhi garden and also saw Birsa Mandap. They also enjoyed the various musical fountains located in the garden and gathered information regarding the various medicinal herbs and plants that have been grown in the Raj Bhawan garden.