One lakh plants damaged: RCB fan frenzy at Vidhana Soudha leaves Cubbon Park devastated
By Prathikaa V Shastry
BENGALURU: The RCB fan frenzy in front of Vidhana Soudha Wednesday left parts of the sprawling Cubbon Park (officially known as Sri Chamarajendra Park) completely damaged and vandalised.
With close to 2 lakh cricket fans descending on Ambedkar Veedhi to catch a glimpse of their favourite cricketers, several youngsters perched on top of trees and iron railings of the garden compound, resulting in considerable damage to the plants and the park's infrastructure.
According to horticulture department officials, the fans not only stomped on the well-manicured lawns of Vidhana Soudha and the high court but also damaged close to one lakh saplings, bushes, trees, and annuals such as marigold, petunias, and hibiscus, which were either broken or completely damaged in Cubbon Park.
Besides, the zealous fans, to get the best view of their stars, tried standing on topiary structures at Vidhana Soudha and the high court garden, leaving them completely broken and damaged.
G Kusuma, deputy director of horticulture (Cubbon Park), revealed that 70-75 topiary structures were damaged beyond repair and required complete replacement. "We kept these topiaries along the median and within the gardens.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
99 Tips for Your Retirement Once Your Portfolio Reaches £250,000
Fisher Investments UK
Undo
All of them have been damaged. Apart from this, the iron railing barricade measuring 2-3ft around the garden has also been broken at some places," she pointed out.
To make the iconic street resplendent with vibrant colours, the horticulture department raised special gardens and curated lawns over the last two years as an extended part of Cubbon Park. "The garden was not just about the lawn but had various plants of several species, including annuals, shrubs, small ornamental plants, and trees.
All of them have been damaged, and we have to raise them afresh. We tried convincing a couple of fans who were sitting precariously on branches of delicate trees, but none of them was in any mood to listen to us.
Several branches have also been broken due to the weight of the fans," explained another official of Cubbon Park.
When TOI visited the lawns a day after the incident, it was all laid bare, and in some corners, the grass was flattened. The compost and humus-rich soil had become hard, making it tough for the gardeners to replant. While the plants were crushed and trampled, some parts of the irrigation sprinkler system were also broken and damaged by the crowd. Even though the horticulture officials are yet to estimate the extent of the damage, officials revealed that they may require about Rs 25 lakh to regenerate the entire garden again.
Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with
Eid wishes
,
messages
, and
quotes
!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
RCB win IPL 2025: Understanding the powerful Sanskrit phrase engraved on the IPL trophy
Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has evolved into more than just a cricket tournament; it embodies the intersection of talent, ambition, and opportunity. Amidst the glitz, cheering crowds, and nail-biting matches, one subtle detail often escapes notice: the Sanskrit inscription etched onto the IPL trophy. The line written in Sanskrit quietly encapsulates the very spirit of the league, reflecting its mission to provide a grand stage for emerging players to shine and transform their lives through the power of performance. RCB's IPL win in 2025 brings focus back to trophy's Sanskrit phrase In 2025, the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ended their long drought and won their inaugural IPL title, becoming the 8th title-winning team after 18 long years. However, as the camera panned over the trophy during the celebrations, fans might have caught sight of an etched line in Roman script (English letters) that stood out from the rest in terms of its age in comparison with glitz around it. The line states: " Yatra Pratibha Avsara Prapnotihi " Though the trophy has undergone transformations over the years, this Sanskrit phrase has been consistent subtly affirming values IPL believes in. The phrase translates to: "Where talent meets opportunity." This line isn't merely ornamented—it's philosophical and deliberate. It captures the spirit of what IPL seeks to do: providing untapped talent the opportunity to shine on the biggest platform. As per a top IPL official: "The quote is a reflection of the DNA of the IPL. Right from the start, we had a vision to do more than just host a cricket tournament. This is a platform where young, unsuspecting talent can bring out the best of themselves to the world." Royal Challengers Bengaluru win IPL 2025 final Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won their first-ever IPL title by beating Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 6 runs in the 2025 final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium. In a battle between two teams that had never won the IPL, it was Rajat Patidar's RCB that kept their cool to defend a target of 191 on a demanding pitch. The win also saw a long-awaited victory for Virat Kohli, whose unwavering quest for the IPL title had finally been realised. Earlier in the season, RCB had become the first team in IPL history to win all away games in a season. They had placed second in the league standings behind Punjab but then defeated PBKS twice during the playoffs - once in the qualifier and again in the final - to secure a historic title push. Why Sanskrit phrase still shines on the IPL trophy Sanskrit, as an ancient language, has timeless wisdom. Inscribing a line of Sanskrit on the IPL trophy was a symbolic gesture by the organisers—paying homage to India's cultural heritage while commemorating an event followed by the world. Inscribing it in Roman script rather than Devanagari makes it readable by an international audience, yet maintaining its Indian essence. "It proves that tradition and modernity exist together. That the principles of ancient India are still relevant even in a flashy, commercialised league like the IPL," opined a sports culture historian. The IPL is a live party to "Yatra Pratibha Avsara Prapnotihi." Hundreds of cricketers have climbed from anonymity to fame due to their performances in the tournament. Why IPL winners don't keep the original cup Surprisingly, the original IPL trophy is not kept by the winning team. After the last match, it was returned to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The champions do receive a replica to put on display, but the actual trophy stays with the BCCI as an ongoing honour. Also, the same trophy is used every year—with the name of the new champion inscribed after each season. Only when space gets exhausted on the current one is a new trophy commissioned.
News18
16 minutes ago
- News18
Siddaramaiah Govt Gave Conditional Nod To RCB's Vidhana Soudha Event, Anticipated Huge Crowd
Last Updated: The victory celebrations for RCB, which lifted the IPL trophy after 18 years, turned tragic on Wednesday as 11 people were killed in a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium The Karnataka government had granted written permission to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) for an event at Vidhana Soudha to celebrate the victory of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL, a communication accessed by CNN-News18 has revealed. The letter, dated June 4, was a swift response to KSCA's request on June 3, but came with a comprehensive list of stringent conditions, anticipating a large gathering. The victory celebrations for RCB, which lifted the IPL trophy after 18 years, turned tragic on Wednesday as 11 people were killed in a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium near the Vidhan Soudha. Foremost among the government's concerns was the potential for damage to the iconic Vidhana Soudha premises. 'As a large crowd is expected, precautions must be taken to ensure no damage is caused to the grand steps, statues, roads, or gardens," the letter stated, making it clear that KSCA would be liable for full repair costs in case of any mishap. Other key conditions included obtaining prior permissions from the Bengaluru City Police Commissioner, BBMP, and other authorities, ensuring no obstruction to traffic or office work, and maintaining strict cleanliness. Plastic items were strictly prohibited. Financial stipulations were also laid out, requiring a Rs 10,000 advance security deposit for refreshments and a non-refundable Rs 10,000 cleaning fee. Crucially, a substantial security deposit of Rs 15 lakh was mandated for tents and other arrangements. The government also insisted on mandatory certifications for any structural or electrical installations on the grand steps, emphasising the KSCA's sole responsibility for any untoward incidents. Further safety measures included the deployment of firefighters, fire tenders, and health department medical staff. Drone usage was strictly banned as the area is a no-drone zone. The letter also stipulated that furniture must be removed within three hours of the event's conclusion to avoid forfeiture of the security deposit, and that KSCA was responsible for identifying and managing invitees. The letter comes amid a blame-game between the government and the organisers over the event that killed 11 and led to over 45 being injured. CNN-News18 had earlier reported that Bengaluru Police were not in favour of the felicitation ceremony at the Vidhana Soudha. The chaos erupted with RCB announcing the victory parade in a social media post on Wednesday morning. What ensued was utter chaos—uncertainty over the parade's status, conflicting information about ticket requirements, poor communication, multiple rescheduling, and finally the tragedy. The chief minister had then blamed the Karnataka Cricket Association, which had organised the event, saying: 'We did not organise the event, the cricket association did. Our duty was to provide security. The crowd turnout should have been equal to the number of passes given. What can we do if more people come? Let's see what the investigation finds, whether (lapses by) association or police," he said. First Published: June 07, 2025, 13:32 IST
Hindustan Times
18 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Top KSCA officials resign amid probe into stampede at RCB IPL title celebration
The Bengaluru stampede during the RCB victory celebrations outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium that killed 11 people has caused a major upheaval in the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) as A Shankar and E S Jairam have resigned from their respective posts as secretary and treasurer of the cricketing body. The duo took moral responsibility for the tragedy that unfolded on Wednesday amid a probe into the incident. Shankar and Jairam said they had submitted their resignations on Thursday night to KSCA president Raghuram Bhat. "Due to the unforeseen and unfortunate events that have unfolded in the last two days, and though our role was very limited, we wish to state that we have tendered our resignation to our respective posts as the Secretary and Treasurer of the Karnataka State Cricket Association," the joint statement read. Bhat and the two officials who resigned had submitted to the Karnataka high court that the association was not responsible for gate and crowd management. The submission added that they had sought permission to hold RCB IPL celebrations at Vidhan Soudha. Several Police officials, including Bengaluru police commissioner B Dayananda, were suspended in the aftermath of the tragedy. The Bengaluru stampede occurred after the felicitation of the players who won RCB's first-ever IPL title. The initial felicitation was organised at the Vidhan Soudha, and it passed off without any major glitch. Chaos erupted outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, where lakhs converged following RCB's social media invitation asking fans to attend a ceremony there. The invite was eventually deleted. A planned victory parade had to be cancelled, but the function inside the stadium proceeded despite the tragic death of 11 fans. The Karnataka government said that it had asked the organisers to wrap up the program in 10 minutes after learning about the deaths, which they obliged. FIR has been registered in the case, and four officials from RCB and the event management company DNA were arrested on Friday, including RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale. A complaint was also registered against Virat Kohli, but police sources said no FIR has been registered so far. The complainant, social activist HM Venkatesh, alleged Kohli was promoting 'gambling through IPL,' claiming it incited the large crowd that triggered the tragedy.
