The annual floral spectacle at the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI) in Lucknow drew to a vibrant close on Sunday. The two-day Chrysanthemum and Coleus Show attracted a significant crowd of students, gardening aficionados, and families, all eager to witness the stunning array of floral exhibits.
Dignitaries Champion Floriculture and Public Engagement
The closing ceremony was graced by Dinesh Pratap Singh, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Horticulture, Marketing, Foreign Trade, and Agri-exports, as the chief guest. He was joined by guests of honour Dr. P.K. Trivedi, Director of CSIR-CIMAP, and Mahendra Kumar Gupta, Joint Secretary (Administration) at CSIR, New Delhi.
In his address, Minister Dinesh Pratap Singh emphasized that floriculture holds significant promise for boosting farmers' income. He also encouraged citizens to adopt rooftop gardening to grow their own vegetables. Dr. Trivedi shed light on the substantial employment opportunities present in the cultivation of ornamental plants. Mahendra Kumar Gupta commended CSIR for its ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between scientific research and the general public.
Award Winners and New Floral Introductions
The competition segment of the show was fiercely contested. CSIR-CIMAP emerged as the top performer, securing the highest number of prizes out of the 157 awards announced across various categories. They were followed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Central Command (Cantonment). The coveted Large-flowered Chrysanthemum Trophy was claimed by Tata Motors.
In the individual categories, the titles were awarded to Saubhagya Srivastava as the King of Exhibition, Alfred Gomes as the Queen, and Mishika as the Prince. A major highlight of the event was the introduction of two new chrysanthemum varieties developed by CSIR-NBRI: 'NBRI-Madhukaram' and 'NBRI-Shukra'. These new breeds have been specifically tailored to thrive in local climatic conditions and are well-suited for both pot cultivation and garden use.
A Six-Decade Legacy of Botanical Awareness
Dr. A.K. Shasany, Director of NBRI, highlighted the enduring legacy of the event, noting that the institute has been organizing this annual flower show for more than sixty years. He described it as a persistent initiative aimed at fostering plant awareness and encouraging public participation in horticulture. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. K.J. Singh.
The successful event underscored Lucknow's deep-rooted connection with gardening and floriculture, showcasing both beauty and the science behind plant cultivation to the community.
