The annual Spring Festival in Uttarakhand on March 4 and 5 at Raj Bhawan

DEHRADUN: In good news for the nature lovers, the dates for the annual flower extravaganza - Spring Festival (Basantotsav) - were decided at a meeting held on Monday and this year the fest will be held on March 4 and 5 at the Raj Bhawan. It was also decided that the first day cover to be issued by the postal department this year will have medicinal Van Tulasi as its theme plant.
The dates were announced at a meeting presided over by Governor K K Paul and on March 4, the governor will inaugurate the festival and release the special postal cover.From 12 noon till 6 pm, the festival will be opened to the public free of cost. In the evening, a cultural programme by folk artistes of Uttarakhand will be organised. It is learnt that handicrafts, music, dance and cuisine of the state will be given excellent expression during the festival.
On March 5, from 4 pm to 6 pm, the governor will give away prizes to all those who emerge as winners in various competitions that will be part of the Basantotsav, which will also mark the culmination of the event.
The Governor said, “This annual event will be shaped up in such a manner that farmers and customers of medicinal and plants, floriculturists, producers of organic items from far and near should look upon it as a platform/opportunity. It would be encouraging and economically beneficial to producers in the state if they could meet buyers from New Delhi and other cities at this event. This would help them improve the marketing of their flowers.”
The Governor said that dishes that used organic produce (Fruits and vegetables) of the state should be made available at the food court of the festival. Nutritional information about these should also be displayed.
The horticulture staff of Raj Bhawan, on the initiative of the Governor, will display this year how hanging garden and vertical gardens can be created by people living in limited spaces. A special stall will be put up this year to display and sell products/ handicrafts made by inmates of Nari Niketan and poor women from other organizations. IMA and ITBP bands will play during the festival.
Floral Rangoli, painting competition for poor or differently-abled children, a photo exhibition based on natural beauty, a painting exhibition and a Philately exhibition will also be part of the fest.