Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU
Governor Dr KK Paul apprised the media about the two-day long annual Vasantotsav, which will begin at Raj Bhawan on February 24. Before media interaction, Dr Paul planted Avocado and an all season mango plant at Raj Bhawan.
Addressing the media he said that this annual cultural event had now become an important part of the cultural calendar of the state. He said that what had begun as a flower show had now become focused on the floriculture potential of the state and was a synthesis of music, flowers ,dance and many other activities besides being a forum for promoting the interests of floriculturists and horticulturists.
He said horticulture was of great importance in Uttarakhand as it had small holdings. Medicinal plants and off-season vegetables could be grown to boost the hill economy.
The flowers like the Bulgarian Rose need to be cultivated in the state so that they could give commercial benefit to the farmers .The extract of this flower is very expensive and is used in high-quality soaps. Expensive flowers like Tulip must also be grown.Tulips have been growing well in Raj Bhawan over the last few years. He said farmers should be encouraged to grow such species so that their income could increase and move towards the prime minister’s objective of doubling farmers’ incomes by 2022.
The Vasantotsav will be inaugurated by the governor at 11 a.m. tomorrow and will be open to the public from 12 noon till 6 p.m. On Sunday, February 25, it will be open from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.Prize distribution for the various categories of the festival activities will be held at 5 p.m. on February 25. Photo, painting and Philately exhibitions will feature in the festival.Folk songs and dances of the state will be presented by the cultural department of Uttarakhand on February 24 and 25 evenings.
A Yoga display, a Judo-Karate display and bands of ITBP and IMA will be part of Vasantotsav .Food courts will be put up(IHM and GMVN) .This year, the herb that is being focused on is Jambu.A special postal cover on Jambu will be released by the governor tomorrow.
Several departments ,institutions and organizations like FRI, CIMAP, horticulture department, forest department ,Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology ,tourism department , ONGC, G.B.Pant University , Uttarakhand Horticulture and Forestry University (Bharsar) and National Jute Board will put up stalls at the event .
Like the last two years , the tulips grown at Raj Bhawan will also be displayed at the festival.
Agricultural equipments ,seeds ,biofertilisers will be available
Scholl children between the ages of 5 nd 18 will take part in painting and fresh petal Rangoli competitions .Rag pickers and differently-abled children will also participate .
The entire event will be kept polythene –free.
A vertical garden will be on display which can help people grow flowers and plants in areas with less space.
