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I will always remember Dr. Priya Ranjan not only as the Chairman of JK Monitor, but as a mentor, guide and elder brother whose kindness shaped my life and work. Write a tribute at JAMMU: The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, successfully hosted the Annual Flower Show cum Floritech Startup conclave today at the institute’s main campus. The event brought together floritech startup, floriculture enthusiasts, farmers, and experts to celebrate nature, exchange knowledge, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal & Dean, Govt. Medical College, Jammu was the chief guest whileas Dr. C. L. Sharma, Director, Horticulture, Jammu was the guest of honour. Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM presided over the function. Their insights and encouragement set the tone for an inspiring day ahead.
Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, while speaking on the occasion said that the events like the flower show are not significant and known for exhibition of various flowers or the flower bye products but also the opportunity to various sect of a society to come on a common platform and build up a cohesive way of working. Appreciating the organisers for conducting such an important event wish them to achieve the goals under different verticals of Floriculture Mission of CSIR.He also expressed the need for both the institutions to work in more close collaboration on the ideas of inter-institutional connect putforth by Union Minister, Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Dr. C.L.Sharma, the guest of honour while complimenting the institute’s endeavour to revive this important activity of the institute explained about various schemes of J&K UT govt. which are for flowers growers and floritech startup.
In his presidential address, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM Jammu, said that the institute which is pioneer in the core pre-clinical drugs discovery with Cancer, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Diabetes Mellitus and Alzheimer’s disease as core areas, has, under the mentorship of Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of S&T and Vice President, CSIR, been implementing societal missions like CSIR Aroma and CSIR Floriculture Mission in Jammu & Kashmir. This year, the Flower show besides participation from various participants in various competitions was unique to host a two day the Floritech Startup conclave in which about 130 innovators and young startup took part and gain different types of trainings in floriculture sector, added Dr. Ahmed. Furthermore he highlighted how floriculture helps to improve rural livelihoods and strengthen the economy. He discussed the institute’s work in research and development, its focus on sustainable farming, and its support for farmers through programs like the Aroma Mission and Purple Revolution. He thanked participants for their enthusiasm and reaffirmed the institute’s dedication to advancing innovation in floriculture. “Since its inception in 1961, the Annual Flower Show here has encouraged awareness about floriculture, gardening, and environmental sustainability” he said.
Earlier Dr. Dhiraj Vyas, Sr. Principal Scientist & Head, Plant Sciences and Agrotechnology Division (PSA), CSIR-IIIM, while welcoming the guests. highlighted that the event received an overwhelming response from participants and visitors. The Exhibition of Flower Stalls featured a diverse range of flowers, innovative gardening techniques, and artistic floral arrangements, earning appreciation from both experts and enthusiasts. The Floriculture Farmers Conclave served as a platform for agronomists, industry experts, and farmers to share insights on modern farming techniques, value addition in floriculture, and government initiatives for rural development.
The event concluded with the prize distribution among the winners of various competitions. Among the key winners, Devanshy Gulati from received the prestigious Dr. K. Ganpaty Memorial Trophy for the Best Garden & Lawn (Civilian), while Lt. Col. T.S. Arora from Sunjawan Cantt, Jammu, was awarded the Dr. I.C. Chopra Memorial Trophy for the Best Garden & Lawn (Services). The DG, BSF Running Trophy for Best Flag Staff House was secured by Topi Bangla, Satwari Cantt, Jammu, and the World Wide Fund Rolling Trophy for the Best Maintained Public Park & Garden was awarded to Bagh-e-Bahu, Jammu. Col RN Chopra Memorial Tropy for educational institution in the best performance in floral painting went to APS, Nagrota. Gen KV Krishna Rao running trophy for best garden and lawn maintained by armed forces went to Station HQ, Sunjwan.
In the Floral Painting Competition, young talents shone brightly, with Bavanya Mathur (APS Nagrota), Viaan Bhat (GLS public School), Atharv Soni (RRL High School) got 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize respectively in Group I (Age 5-8). The consolation prizes in this category went to Royina (RRL High School), Harshit (JK Montessori), Pihu Luthra (Daffodil Convent), Shreya Gupta (Hertitage School), Anaysha Gupta (Presentation Convent). In the Group II (Age 9-12), Sharanya Mathur (APS Nagrota), Pihu Gautam (RRL High School), Sanchaari (APS) got 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, respectively. The consolation prizes in this category went to Alishba Ahmed (RRL High School), Neha Rajput (RRL High School), Mrigakshi Kumari (RRL High School), Adwita Singh (APS Nagrota). In the Group III (Age 13--16), Neha Sharma (APS Nagrota), Dhwani Jakhotra (DPS, Jammu), Kavita Arora (APS) got 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes, respectively. The consolation prizes in this category went to Vasundhra Jamwal (KC public School), Manya Bhardwaj (Activity School), Aradhya (DPS, Jammu).
The first prize winners in various categories included Devanshyi Gulati, Lt Col TS Arora, Maj Gen Mukesh Banwala, 526 Officer Mess, Bhag-e-Bhour, Herbal Garden, SKUAST, Jammu. The second prize winners include Priya Gupta, VC Residence, SKUAST, Brig Pawan Rai, RBI, Stn HQ Ratnuchak, Usman Officer Mess, Satwari, Bagh-e Bhau, Topi Banglow. The third prize winners include Vimal Kharyal, VC Residence, JU, Brig Sumit Sharma, Admin Block, JU, Park 2 Gandhi Nagar, Regional Ayurvedic Research, Bantalab.
Other winners included Ashok Singh, Col. Karan Durand, Luxmi AFO, Sunil Kumar, Kapish Gupta, Rajiv Gupta, Devendra Kumar, BSF, Bushra and Sonam, Bansi lal, Darshan Lal, Ruchika Khajuria, Samyra, Dr Anju Sirohiwal, Ayushi and Harshita, Pooja Suri, Ruby Gupta, Shiveta Pandit, Jiyahana and Anaysha, Jyoti Bala, Dr Neeru, Mehak, Ashok Kumar Sharma, Zahid Gul Batt, Priya Gupta.
The Floriculture Farmers Conclave provided a valuable opportunity for farmers to explore emerging trends, modern cultivation techniques, and business opportunities in the floriculture sector. Experts also highlighted CSIR-IIIM’s contributions to initiatives like the Aroma Mission and the Purple Revolution, which have significantly increased farmers' incomes across Jammu & Kashmir.
Er. Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist & Head RMBD&IST and Head IIIM (Branch) Srinagar, also spoke on the occasion. Dr. Shahid Rasool, Nodal Scientist and coordinator of Floritech Startup Conclave presented the formal vote of thanks.
