Lucknow, Aug 2026 : Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh on Saturday inaugurated the newly constructed Fragrance Park in the Chowk area of the state capital. On the occasion, he also unveiled life-size statues of Punjab Kesari Lala Lajpat Rai and Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh installed on the park premises. The foundation stones for several development projects worth approximately Rs 43 crore were also laid.
Addressing the gathering, Rajnath Singh said that Sardar Bhagat Singh symbolised the energy of young India, while Lala Lajpat Rai represented the experience of the nation. “Nation-building requires both energy and experience,” he said, adding that the statues of the two great freedom fighters at Fragrance Park convey the message of a dialogue between two generations.
He said that in today’s lifestyle, people are unable to devote enough time to one another, while children are spending increasing amounts of time in front of screens. In such circumstances, parks and open public spaces play an important role in bringing people together. Parks, he said, are an important component of a city’s social infrastructure.
Singh emphasised that development should ensure a better balance between concrete structures and nature. He said he wanted Lucknow to witness comprehensive and inclusive development, with greater greenery, improved connectivity and expanded civic amenities across the city.
His objective, he said, was to ensure that Lucknow’s development was not reflected merely in statistics but was felt in the everyday lives of its people. A city is not built only through roads, malls and buildings; parks, open spaces, greenery and civic facilities are equally important elements of urban development. He also appreciated the work being undertaken by the Lucknow Development Authority in this direction.
Earlier, local MLA Dr Neeraj Bora said that families who came to India from Pakistan after the trauma of the 1947 Partition had rebuilt their lives in different parts of the country. Places where displaced families were settled were often given names such as Lajpat Nagar to honour their struggles and preserve their memories.
Bora said he had wanted a beautiful park to be developed in the name of Lala Lajpat Rai, with statues of Lala Lajpat Rai and Shaheed Bhagat Singh installed on the premises. He said he had requested Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to support the initiative.
During the programme, Singh planted a sandalwood sapling under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign. He subsequently unveiled the statues of the two freedom fighters by pressing a button.
The Fragrance Park features a variety of aromatic and medicinal plants. The facility is expected to provide residents with a green, fragrant and health-oriented public space.
A short film highlighting the human tragedy of the Partition 80 years ago was also screened during the programme. It depicted the displacement, suffering and struggles of families affected by the Partition. Another short film prepared by the Lucknow Development Authority showcased various development projects being undertaken across the city.
Singh also felicitated families who had migrated to India from Pakistan during Partition. Those honoured included former MLA Vidyasagar Gupta, former mayor Sanyukta Bhatia and Jaswant Kaur.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Minister of State for Horticulture Dinesh Pratap Singh, Rajya Sabha MP and former Deputy Chief Minister Dr Dinesh Sharma, MPs Brijlal and Sanjay Seth, Mayor Sushma Kharkwal, BJP Lucknow Metropolitan president Anand Dwivedi, Legislative Council member Mukesh Sharma and MLAs Yogesh Shukla, OP Srivastava and Umesh Dwivedi were among those present.
Sasand representative Diwakar Tripathi, Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Gram Vikas Bank chairman Vivek Tomar, Mandal president Dayashankar Pandey, local councillor Anurag Mishra, scientist Dr Sharad Srivastava, BJP office-bearers, councillors, public representatives, Lucknow Development Authority officials and a large number of local residents also attended the event.
Features of Lala Lajpat Rai Fragrance Park
The Lala Lajpat Rai Fragrance Park, developed across 2.3 acres in Lajpat Nagar, Hussainabad, in Old Lucknow, features more than 200 varieties of aromatic and ornamental plants.
Flowers such as jasmine, champa, bela, mogra and gandhraj are among the park’s key attractions. The premises also include a café, open-air theatre, children’s swings and seating facilities.
Keeping accessibility in mind, the park has ramps and Braille information panels for persons with disabilities and the visually impaired.
Life-size statues of Lala Lajpat Rai and Shaheed Bhagat Singh have also been installed, connecting the legacy of India’s freedom struggle with the younger generation.
Located within the heritage zone of Old Lucknow, the park is a unique blend of greenery, fragrance, recreation and history, offering residents and visitors a distinctive public space in the heart of the historic
