05-03-2022:Spring Festival-2022 will begin in Raj Bhawan on Tuesday

Spring Festival-2022 will begin in Raj Bhawan on Tuesday

* In the press conference, the Governor gave detailed information about the spring festival to the media.

* Vasantotsav will be inaugurated on March 8th at 10:00 am.

* The flower show will be open for public on March 8th from 10 pm to 6 pm and on March 9th from 9 am to 6 pm.

Rajbhawan, Dehradun, March 05 , 2022

Curtain Raiser of Spring Festival-2022 was organized at Raj Bhawan on Saturday. Addressing the media, Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd) gave detailed information about the Spring Festival-2022 starting from 08 March to 09 March this year at Raj Bhawan. Secretary Dr. Meenakshi Sundaram and Director Horticulture Dr. H S Baweja were also present on the occasion.

The Governor said that the Spring festival which was started in the Raj Bhawan in 2003, has become the identity of Dehradun. This event which started as a flower show has become popular day by day and has now turned into a big cultural and economic festival. The geographical conditions and available climate of the state of Uttarakhand are suitable for flower production. Due to getting more income in less area, the interest of its production is increasing among the farmers/producers. With the organization of Vasantotsav in the premises of Raj Bhawan every year, special awareness and interest has developed among the general public and farmers in the field of flower production. Before the formation of Uttarakhand state, flower production was done in only 150 hectare area, which has increased to 1609.93 hectare at present, in which apart from rose, marigold, tuberose, gerbera, carnation, gladiolus, lilium, chrysanthemum, Commercial production of orchids etc. is being done mainly. At present, about 3022.90 metric tonnes of loose flowers (rose, marigold, tuberose and others) and 14.43 crore cut flowers are being produced in the state. Presently in the state Trade of flowers worth 250.00 crores is being done.

The main attractions of Vasantotsav 2022-

Various competitions are being organized on this occasion-

1.cut flower

2. Potted Plants Management

3.Loose Flower Management

4. Potted Plants Other than Flowers

5.Cactus

6.hanging pots

7. Flower pots

8.On the Spot Photography

9.Fresh Flower Petal Rangoli

10.Edible Flowers Competition

11.lawn

12. Painting competition for school and other children (05 to 18 years age group)

In the category of above 12 main competitions, there are total 51 sub-categories, in which first, second and third prizes will be given. Thus a total of 153 prizes will be awarded to the winners on March 09, 2022 after the decision of the jury. This year Yamuna Tulsi/Kunj (Artemisia vulgaris) has been selected to issue a special cover, which will be unveiled on March 08, 2022 at the inauguration of Vasantotsav in collaboration with the Department of Posts. Yamuna Tulsi is a perennial aromatic plant, whose height is about 1.5 meters, its branches are green or dark red, brown and purple in color. This plant is considered very sacred in the dhams located in the mountainous regions. This plant is offered to Goddess Yamuna at Yamunotri Dham. For the first time this year, the competition of pots has also been included.

Agricultural/horticultural universities established in the state as well as central institutions are also being invited to participate in the event. The research work being done in the field of flowers by the agricultural/horticultural universities established in the state will be demonstrated through stalls. For the first time this year, latest technology related to horticulture (vertical gardening, hydroponic and aeroponic) will be demonstrated through Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar and FRI. This year, for the first time, a coffee book table has been prepared with the title “Do you know” regarding the usefulness and characteristics of various flowers. For the first time this year, state birds/animals etc. are being made on the lines of PWD, Delhi with floral decorations in the exhibition. Prominent bouquet makers, garland makers and those doing business by preparing other items made of flowers are also being invited during the spring festival. For the first time this year, arrangements for flute playing and saxophone will be made by the Department of Culture at different places in the Raj Bhavan premises. For the first time this year, 05 selected farmers/producers who have done excellent work under various activities related to horticulture will be honored as brand ambassadors by awarding them with mementos.

Competition of edible flowers like rose, gudhal, rhododendron, strawberry blossom etc. has been included in the spring festival. Due to the selection of bakery products under “One District One Product” in Dehradun district, edible flowers suitable for bakery products have also been included in the competition for the first time.

About 30 departments of the state will participate in this two-day event, in which apart from the Horticulture Department, various research institutes / agricultural universities / boards / corporations etc. will be prominent. In addition to the above, various firms producing horticultural equipment, biofertilizer, biological pest control have been invited. NGOs/self-help groups/local producer organizations associated with horticulture activities will also display their programmes/products.

Culture Department, Uttarakhand will organize a cultural evening of one hour on the first day (March 08, 2022) in the evening. Bands of the Indian Military Institute, Indo-Tibetan Border Police and PSC will be the main center of attraction. In this two-day event, for the convenience of people’s food and drink, as in previous years, IHM and GIHM and other organizations will arrange for packed food in the food court and no seating arrangement will be made, special attention will be given to hygiene and sanitation.The entire Vasantotsav program will be kept polythene free. 10 wheel chairs will be arranged in Raj Bhawan premises for differently abled children and arrangements for thermal scanning machines, masks and sanitizers will be made at the main entrance of Raj Bhawan. Persons/visitors without masks will not be allowed to enter the Raj Bhawan premises.

Other main events of Vasantotsav-2022-

* An initiative has been taken to promote horticulture in urban areas through ‘Vertical Garden’ in Vasantotsav, in which the cultivation of flowers and organic vegetables will be displayed in less space, especially in the terrace/balcony of the house.

* To establish direct coordination between flower growers and flower buyers, a buyer-seller meeting is being organized by the Uttarakhand Horticulture Board.

* Stalls will be set up by ITBP to provide information about various management techniques for disaster and its rescue.

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