Wednesday, 09 March 2022 | PNS | Dehradun
Uttarakhand Governor Lieutenant General (retd) Gurmit Singh inaugurated the two-day Spring Festival- Vasantotsav at Raj Bhawan on Tuesday. The governor inaugurated the festival by cutting a string of flowers and releasing balloons in the air as a symbol of peace. The festival started with the celebration of the folk festival of the state- Phool Dei. He also unveiled a special cover featuring Yamuna Tulsi/Kunj (Artemisia vulgaris), which is found in various mountainous areas of the state and is also offered to Goddess Yamuna at Yamunotri Dham. A total of 1,985 contestants participated in 12 main competitions with 51 subcategories on the first day of the event. Out of total contestants, 786 participated in the cut flower (traditional) category, 677 in the painting competition, 201 participants in the cut flower (non-traditional) category, 58 in the loose flower category, 53 in the potted plant (non-floral) category, 52 in Hanging Pot category, 40 in On the Spot Photography, 29 in Fresh Petal Rangoli and 18 in potted plant categories. The prizes to the winners will be given on Wednesday. A total of 242 stalls were also set up on this occasion including 218 individual stalls and 24 stalls associated with state departments. Bakery products were selected under the “One District One Product” category for Dehradun district that used edible flowers to prepare several bakery products which were also included in the competition for the first time. Several farmers from all the districts participated in the festival too.Singh said that the spring festival has been encouraging many for the plantation of different types of plants and to pursue agriculture for years. This festival also gives a message to people to connect with nature and protect the environment and will continue to inspire many more in future too, said the governor.
