Gov inaugurates Vasantotsav-2025 at Raj Bhawan
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 7 Mar: Governor Lt General Gurmit Singh (Retd) inaugurated the 3-day Spring Festival, Vasantotsav-2025, at the Raj Bhawan here today with great pomp and grandeur. The event commenced with cultural presentations and a grand exhibition of various flowers. On this occasion, the Governor released a special postal cover on the medicinal plant, ‘Jatamansi’, and also inaugurated a postage stamp exhibition. It may be recalled that this event originally begun as an annual flower show on the initiative of the then Governor, Sudarshan Aggarwal, has now also diversified into an annual cultural festival that includes showcasing of local culture and products.
Today’s event featured attractive cultural presentations, including performances by the bands of IMA, PAC, and Home Guards, who enthralled the audience with melodious tunes. Artists from Jaunsar performed the traditional Harul dance, while the soldiers of Gorkha Rifles showcased their strength through a Khukhri dance. Students of Dev Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Haridwar, demonstrated amazing feats during the yoga performance. Niramaya Yogam Research Foundation, Haridwar, and Uttaranchal Ayurvedic College, Dehradun, presented a captivating Bharatnatyam-based yoga dance and Shiv Tandava. ITBP soldiers added excitement with their brilliant Karate performance. The Governor met all the participants and appreciated their performances.
The Governor also visited every stall at the flower exhibition and encouraged the participants and later also interacted with children participating in the painting competition and praised their paintings. This time a selfie point decorated with flowers also attracted a large crowd.
During the inauguration, the Governor stressed on the natural and cultural heritage of Uttarakhand and the unique potential of its flowers. He mentioned new initiatives like AI-based visitor count and QR code feedback system to enhance the festival’s effectiveness and attractiveness. The Governor encouraged public participation in the event and emphasised the potential of Uttarakhand’s flowers, honey, and aromatic plants to bring about economic prosperity and rural development.
In Vasantotsav-2025, a total of 2,231 participants are competing in 15 different categories of the competition. A total of 214 stalls have been put up by various institutions and individuals, with 26 government institutions displaying their activities. NGOs, self-help groups, and local producer organisations also showcased their products and specialities. For the convenience of the general public, a food court arranged by IHM and GIHM offered various tasty and nutritious packed foods, along with millet-based stalls set up by Devbhoomi University.
Those who were present at the Raj Bhawan at the time of inauguration included First Lady Gurmeet Kaur, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi, Founder of Hans Foundation Bhole Maharaj, Mata Mangala, Secretary to the Governor Ravinath Raman, Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, SN Pandey, Director General, Agriculture and Horticulture, Ranveer Chauhan, Additional Secretary to the Governor Swati S Bhadauria, Director, Horticulture, Deepti Singh besides others.
