PNS | DEHRADUN
Vasantotsav will be hosted at Raj Bhawan from March 7 to March 9. This decision was taken at a meeting on Wednesday presided over by the Governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh. At the meeting, the Governor emphasised the importance of maximising public participation in this event and enhancing its publicity to benefit flower producers and women’s self-help groups active in the State. He highlighted the need to promote flower production and the cultivation of aromatic plants in Uttarakhand through Vasantotsav.
In the meeting the Governor directed the officials concerned to link the flower exhibition with commercial activities and to explore marketing possibilities for these flowers not just within the State’s boundary but across the country. He called for a food court to be set up in collaboration with the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), prioritising the traditional millet-based dishes.
He further said that honey production should be encouraged in the course of Vasantotsav with a special stall to be set up by G B Pant Agricultural University.
The Governor laid stress on strengthening a feedback system during the event to gather suggestions from attendees to improve future events.
After the meeting, the officials informed that competitions would be held in 15 different categories at the flower exhibition with a total of 162 prizes to be presented. Besides, presentations will be made by ITBP, IMA, PAC and Home Guard featuring bands and there will be cultural programmes to be presented by local artistes in the evenings of the event. Moreover, demonstrations on yoga, judo and martial arts will be held aside from a painting competition to be organised for school children aged between five to 18 years. This competition will also include children from orphanages, those with physical disabilities and rag-pickers, the officials added.
The officials further informed that for the first time, a Lily exhibition cum competition would be held with three prizes to be given away. Various other competitions will also be held, including cut flower arrangements, potted plant arrangements, loose flower arrangements, hanging pots and ‘on-the-spot photography’.
