Why Modi mentioned Neelakurinji flowers in his Independence Day speech?

Modi began his speech by wishing the nation on the 72nd Independence Day and said that there is a wave of optimism across the nation.

New Delhi, Aug 15: As Narendra Modi began his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort, the Prime Minister made a reference to Neelakurinji flower in the Neelagiris which bloom once every 12 years.

Modi began his speech by wishing the nation on the 72nd Independence Day and said that there is a wave of optimism across the nation. He said that economy is growing and India is making swift progress on the path of development.

The Prime Minister tried to liken this optimism and progress with the blooming of Neelakurinji flower. In a way, Modi meant that the nation is witnessing positive changes after a long time. In a metaphoric sense, the Prime Minister tried to convey that the wave of development sweeping the nation was like the blooming of Neelakurinji flower, considered a rare event. It was to summarise that work done by his government since 2014 has yeilded results.

"This year, the Neelakurinji flower in Nilgiri hills is blooming in full colours," Modi said soon after saying that the nation was heading in positive direction.

Another notable fact is that, this year's blooming of Neelakurinji is only the sixth time it has done since the Independence in 1947. The noted years of Neelakurunji's blooming since 1947 are - 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 and 2018.

Kurinji grows at an altitude of 1300 to 2400 metres. The plant is usually 30 to 60 cm high. They can, however, grow well beyond 180 cm under congenial conditions. While the plant grows in the Eastern Ghats as well, Munnar in Kerala records the highest number of neelakurinji plants across India.

Lakhs come to the Neelgiri Hills to witness the blooming of this rare flower.