The flower exhibition competition Vasantotsav 2016 will be organised in the Raj Bhawan here on March 12 and 13. An image of the Amesh (seabuck thorn) has been chosen for the commemorative postage stamp and first day cover to be issued India Post on the occasion. The event will be inaugurated by the governor KK Paul on March 12 with free entry for the public. These decisions were taken in a meeting chaired by the governor Krishan Kant Paul on Monday.
Speaking at the meeting, the governor said that beneficial and new aspects need to be incorporated in this annual exhibition cum competition organised by the horticulture department. Paul said that a 20 minute documentary film on the two-day flower exhibition/competition should be prepared and displayed at various fairs and events held in all districts of the State in order to motivate farmers and flower growers. Such a documentary should also be exhibited at the Uttarakhand pavilion in the international trade fair held every year in November in Delhi, he said, while pointing at the importance of such events for marketing of flowers.
The governor stressed that all possible efforts should be undertaken to inform and encourage farmers linked to flower cultivation in the remote areas of the mountainous districts. Recalling his interaction with locals while touring the Munsyari area, he said that a substantial increase in income and improvement in living standard can be achieved by boosting rose cultivation and marketing of the aromatic oil made from the rose. Pointing at considerable scope for cultivation of valued flowers in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand, the governor said that flowers like tulip are in high demand in the international market. Areas with potential for cultivation of expensive flowers like tulip should be identified and required technical and marketing assistance should be provided to the farmers to bring about development, he opined.
With this annual flower exhibition-competition becoming popularly known to the people, efforts should also be continued to encourage the State’s folk culture. The governor said that the department will also have to make better efforts to exhibition of the state’s handicrafts, folk music and folk dance. As in the past years, commercial private growers and various government nurseries will participate in the flower show cum exhibition. Additionally, a photography exhibition on the subject of flowers and natural beauty, painting competition and special postal stamps exhibition will also be held on the occasion.