NBRI's Bougainvillea Festival Wraps Up in Lucknow with Focus on Floriculture and Innovation
The CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) successfully concluded its two-day bougainvillea festival on Sunday, marking the event with a grand prize distribution ceremony. The occasion was graced by the presence of Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, who underscored the multifaceted benefits of flowering plants beyond mere aesthetics.
Governor Emphasizes Environmental and Economic Impact
Addressing the assembled crowd, Governor Anandiben Patel articulated a compelling vision for floriculture. "Flowering plants like bougainvillea do more than just beautify our urban landscapes," she stated. "They play a crucial role in promoting well-being, maintaining environmental equilibrium, and even bolstering rural livelihoods through commercial floriculture activities." She further elaborated that such festivals are instrumental in bridging the gap between agricultural communities and cutting-edge agricultural technologies, particularly those developed under the ambitious CSIR Floriculture Mission.
NBRI's Pioneering Role and Festival Objectives
AK Shasany, the Director of NBRI, highlighted the institute's foundational contributions to bougainvillea research. "Our institute has been at the forefront of developing new and improved bougainvillea varieties," Shasany explained. The festival, he noted, was strategically designed with a dual purpose: to actively promote the floriculture sector as a viable economic venture and to foster greater public engagement and interest in ornamental gardening across all demographics.
Overwhelming Public Response and Prize Distribution Details
Dr. KJ Singh, a scientist at NBRI, reported an exceptionally high turnout for the festival, with the sale of bougainvillea plants emerging as a major crowd-puller. The event attracted a diverse range of participants, including:
- Government institutions
- Private nurseries and horticultural businesses
- Individual gardening enthusiasts and hobbyists
In total, 51 prizes were awarded across various categories to recognize excellence. The breakdown of awards was as follows:
- 20 First Prizes
- 17 Second Prizes
- 14 Third Prizes
Notable individual achievements included Savni Yadav from Kursi Road, who secured an impressive three first prizes, the highest tally in the individual category. Meanwhile, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) Vice-Chairperson and Dr. Purnima Singh of Gomti Nagar each won two first prizes.
Prestigious Trophy Winners Announced
The festival also featured special trophy categories to honor outstanding contributions. The coveted Director's Trophy for individuals was awarded to Dr. Purnima Singh. In the institutional category, the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) claimed the top honor. The highest accolade, the Director General's Trophy for the best overall performance, was a joint award, shared by Dr. Purnima Singh and the Lucknow Development Authority, recognizing their exemplary efforts.
Dignitaries and Concluding Remarks
The ceremony was attended by several distinguished guests from the scientific community, including Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, former director of CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, and Bhaskar Narayan, director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research. Their presence underscored the collaborative spirit and scientific importance of initiatives like the bougainvillea festival, which successfully blended horticultural display with economic opportunity and environmental advocacy.
