Wednesday, 21 February 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The three-day Vasantotsav-2024 will begin at the Raj Bhawan on March 1. Governor lieutenant general (retd) Gurmit Singh informed about the special attractions of the event this year while addressing the media here on Tuesday. Stating that the Thuner plant has been chosen for the special postal cover to be released on the occasion, he said that the Vasantotsav will be open for the public from 1 PM to 6 PM on March 1 and from 9 AM to 6 PM on the following two days.
The governor said that the Vasantotsav which was first held in 2003 has become part of the State’s identity. Stating that the flowers of Uttarakhand have a separate identity, he said that the immense potential for floriculture can prove to be a boon for the State. “We will have to undertake special efforts to link flowers with commercial activity. There is also a need for supplying flowers from the State to across the nation and abroad in addition to nearby regions. Efforts should be undertaken to develop Uttarakhand into a ‘flower State’,” Singh said. He further said that the annual Vasantotsav has helped fuel special interest in the general public and cultivators in floriculture.
According to officials, the floral exhibition and various competitions will be held under 15 categories and 53 sub-categories. The categories include cut flowers, potted plants arrangement, loose flower arrangement, vegetables in rooftop gardening, cacti and succulents, bonsai, terrarium, hanging pots, hydroponic technique exhibition, honey, on the spot photography and fresh floral rangoli, among others. A total of 153 prizes will be presented in the 15 categories and 53 sub-categories on March 3. Flower cultivators from Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Haridwar and Dehradun will participate in the cut flower competition (traditional areas) while cultivators from nine mountainous districts of Almora,Bageshwar, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pauri, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Tehri and Uttarkashi will participate in the cut flower competition (non-traditional areas). Competition will also be held in seven sub-categories under the orchid section while cultivators will compete in the commercial fruit trees and forest trees sub-categories in the bonsai category. The hydroponic cultivation technology demonstration has been introduced this year to encourage farmers to adopt this technique.The Thuner plant has been chosen for the special postal cover this year considering its various medicinal properties which make it useful for treatment of cough, cold, fever, migraine, digestive issues, bronchitis, skin issues and other ailments. A postal ticket exhibition will also be held as part of Vasantotsav while paintings will be exhibited at the Raj Bhawan auditorium gallery. About 35 departments will participate in the three-day event with the Police department participating for the first time.
