Ludhiana: It was a splash of freshness, fragrance and visual delight as the two-day annual flower show kicked off at Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), with a variety of flowers, plants, foliage, and flower arrangements, brought together to the delight of visitors. In addition to an ecstatic view of the spring season through blossoming colourful flowers, interesting planters were displayed in all shapes and sizes, from being arranged in a big palette, huts, bicycles, umbrella, jeans and other interesting ways, adding creativity to the beauty that the flower show presented.Flower growers and lovers flocked to the show, exhibiting multi-hued varieties of flowers in varied designs and dimensions. The show was dedicated to Dr MS Randhawa, first vice-chancellor of PAU, who played an institutional role in the promotion of landscaping and penned several books on ornamental trees, shrubs and gardens. Inaugurating the show, PAU V-C Dr Satbir Singh Gosal applauded the department of floriculture and landscaping for keeping the momentum high among the flower cultivators and enthusiasts by carrying forward the rich legacy of holding the show every year. “The display of divine beauty, delicate touch, deep thoughts and delightful scene through a number of floral pots, soars spirits, eases stress and promotes prosperity among the onlookers,” Dr Gosal said. “Upswing in demand-driven floriculture occupation has scaled-up flower purchase, thus, leading to long-term gains to growers and sellers,” remarked Dr Gosal. The university has also done a remarkable floriculture research, leading to floral intensity and diversity that has since inception been given due recognition by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, he added.Dr APS Gill, former professor of floriculture at PAU and ex-national consultant of floriculture, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), said, “The bright- and light-coloured flowers present the unparalleled beauty of the spring season.” Being an important part of horticulture to promote diversification, flower seed production and cultivation was a long-lasting booming business, he observed. Dr Parminder Singh, head, department of floriculture and landscaping, called the annual flower show a highly-awaited and most-sought after event. Showcasing the floral beauty through 37 stalls, the show organised competition in 10 classes of fresh and dry flower arrangements, seasonal flowers, foliage plants, cacti, succulents, ferns and bonsai, he informed. The competition saw an active participation from individuals, hobbyists, private institutions, amateurs, government and semi-government institutions and nurseries, he said.
