The use of polythene will not be allowed at Vasantotsav 2018 to be held at Raj Bhawan on February 24-25. A meeting was held at Raj Bhawan on Friday to review the progress of the preparations for the festival. Presiding over the meeting, the governor Krishan Kant Paul also stressed that the cuisine of Uttarakhand must be given priority at the food court.
The Governor said that a vehicle decorated with flowers must be sent around the city to make people aware of the Vasantotsav. Other ways of promoting the festival must also be used. The certificates that will be awarded at the festival should be made of recycled/handmade paper. He further said that special care should be taken to ensure cleanliness at the two-day event. Entries for cut flowers (like orchids and roses) must be a minimum of three entries. The governor stressed on ensuring that polythene is not used at the festival.
Besides the other categories, cultivators of excellent flowers in the mountain districts will also be awarded. It was stated in the meeting that the education department will be ensuring that the maximum number of children attend the event. The differently-abled and street children will also be part of the festival. The ONGC will be providing caps, bags and T-shirts to the children. An Art gallery will also be put up at Raj Bhawan auditorium. On February 24, a cultural programme will be presented in the evening by folk artistes of the state. During the daytime, the artistes will perform songs and dances on the Raj Bhawan lawns.
Secretaries Ravinath Raman, D Senthil Pandian, Dilip Javalkar, Dehradun district magistrate SA Murugeshan and officials of various departments, Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) force, Indian Military Academy, ONGC and postal department were also among those present in the meeting.