Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and CM Omar Abdullah Share Warm Moments During Visit to Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden in Srinagar
SRINAGAR, April 7: In a picturesque setting symbolizing the onset of spring in the Kashmir Valley, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, along with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, took a serene morning walk through Srinagar’s iconic Tulip Garden on Monday. The duo was later joined by National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah, making the visit both politically significant and symbolically cordial.
The meeting, marked by an atmosphere of calm and blooming beauty, was captured in vibrant visuals shared by Kiren Rijiju on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “A refreshing morning walk amid the vibrant hues of the Tulip Garden in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, with Hon’ble CM Shri @OmarAbdullah ji and also glad to meet Dr Farooq Abdullah sahab,” Rijiju posted, accompanied by photographs of the garden stroll.
In another line from the post, the Union Minister added, “Nature at its finest & conversations filled with warmth & vision, a truly special morning,” reflecting the spirit of camaraderie and dialogue shared during the visit.
The interaction took place amidst the vibrant backdrop of the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Asia’s largest, which is located on the foothills of the Zabarwan Range overlooking the famed Dal Lake. Spread across nearly 30 hectares, the garden boasts millions of blooming tulips in dozens of varieties and attracts tourists and nature enthusiasts from across the globe each spring.
Originally opened in 2007, the garden was developed with the twin aim of promoting floriculture and enhancing tourism in the region. The annual Tulip Festival, which celebrates the garden’s peak bloom period, has become a signature cultural and horticultural event in Jammu and Kashmir.
While the visit remained largely informal, political observers noted its broader significance given the recent national debate surrounding the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the role of both Rijiju and the National Conference in the evolving discourse. Nonetheless, Monday’s interaction was seen as a moment of dialogue and appreciation for the natural and cultural richness of Kashmir.
The visuals of the garden visit, with leaders from different political ideologies walking side by side through blooming tulips, presented a rare moment of unity and peace—an image that resonated widely among the public and on social media platforms.
