PNS | DEHRADUN
Governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh inaugurated the three-day Vasantotsav-2025 at the Raj Bhawan here on Friday. He also released the special cover on the medicinal plant Jatamansi issued by the Department of Post on the occasion which was also marked by cultural presentations along with a display of a wide variety of flora.
The event began with performances by bands from the Indian Military Academy, Provincial Armed Constabulary and Home Guard. Folk dancers from Jaunsar presented the Harul dance while jawans of the Gurkha Rifles performed the khukhri dance. Students from various institutions presented Yoga and cultural items while jawans of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police demonstrated karate skills. The governor interacted with children participating in the painting competition, viewed the flora on exhibit and visited various stalls set up as part of the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh said that Uttarakhand is blessed by natural and cultural heritage. The flowers which grow here are not only beautiful but also have the potential to make Uttarakhand a ‘flower State’. There are major possibilities in honey, aromatic plants and flowers in Uttarakhand. Work on these spheres can boost economic prosperity and bring about a revolutionary change in rural development in the State, he said.
The governor further said that artificial intelligence based visitor cout and QR code feedback systems have been introduced in the Vasantotsav this time. These innovations with the coordination of Uttarakhand Technical University and Information Technology Development Agency will make the event more effective and attractive, he said. This event will open a new domain not only for the lovers of flora but also for technology development, Singh added.
It is pertinent to mention here that there are 621 participants in the cut flower (traditional) category, 145 in the cut flower (non-traditional) category, five in the cut flower (handicapped), 76 women flower growers, 18 in the potted plants (private nursery) category, 44 in the loose flower category, 42 in vegetable cultivation and scores of other participants in different categories in this year’s Vasantotsav. Apart from this, 214 stalls have been set up by various organisations and individuals along with 26 stalls set up by government organisations displaying their activities.
