Dehradun, February 2 (HS): The annual Vasantotsav will be organised at Lok Bhawan from February 27 to March 1 with renewed emphasis on public participation and promotion of Uttarakhand’s traditional products, officials said on Monday.
Preparations for the event were reviewed at a meeting chaired by Governor Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.) at Lok Bhawan. The Governor directed officials to ensure that the festival is not treated merely as an event but evolves into a people-centric celebration with wide participation.
The Governor stressed the need for extensive publicity of Vasantotsav and instructed officials to promote it beyond Uttarakhand to other states as well. He called for the setting up of food courts in collaboration with IHM, GMVN and women self-help groups, with a special focus on traditional millets-based cuisine. He also directed special efforts to promote honey production during the festival.
From this year, progressive farmers, women entrepreneurs and youth-led startups will be honoured with the Governor’s Special Award during Vasantotsav for outstanding contributions, particularly in the field of floriculture. The Governor said the festival serves as an effective platform to promote floriculture in Uttarakhand and should be linked with commercial activities, including marketing of locally grown flowers at the state and national levels.
He added that Uttarakhand has strong potential in honey, aroma products and millets, and said these sectors should receive special attention during this year’s celebrations.
Officials informed the Governor that flower exhibitions will feature competitions across 15 categories, with 165 awards to be given. Band performances by ITBP, IMA, PAC, pipe bands and Home Guards will be organised, along with cultural evenings. For the first time, NIM Uttarkashi will conduct live demonstrations during the festival.
Yoga demonstrations by NIVH and Niramaya Yoga Gram, along with judo and martial arts performances, will also be held. A painting competition will be organised for school children aged between 5 and 18 years, including participation from orphanages, children with disabilities and children from marginalised communities.
The flower exhibition will include competitions in cut flowers, potted plants, hanging pots, loose flower arrangements, on-the-spot photography, lily displays, bonsai gardening, vegetable gardening, soilless hydroponic farming, terrariums and honey processing. Floral displays by government and private gardens, along with flower-based rangoli competitions, will also be part of the attractions.
Senior officials from various departments, including Home Guards, Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, Horticulture, ITBP, ONGC, Forest, Police and Culture departments, were present at the meeting.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar
