Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who was supposed to inaugurate the flower festival, was held back at Bagdogra airport due to inclement weather and was forced to cancel his trip to Sikkim. His message was read out during the inaugural function by State Human Resource Development minister NK Pradhan. In his message, the Union Home Minister congratulated Sikkim government for taking initiative on floriculture development which, he said, will go a long way in the State’s development. The entire Northeastern region is emerging as an important floriculture sector of the nation, he said adding the progress made by the Sikkim government in floriculture was impressive.

Shinde complimented Chamling for his green initiatives, adding that his efforts to develop the horticulture sector of Sikkim were in consonance with his green activities. The initiative of Sikkim will enable India to assert its rightful position in the floriculture sector of the world, he said.

While addressing the programme Governor expressed hope that the second international flower festival would firmly put Sikkim in the flower map of the world. Women in Sikkim have joined hands in the floriculture initiative and I am sure if young boys and girls pick up this tradition, we will have achieved our goal, he said.

We are encouraging our farmers to take up floriculture and horticulture and providing commercial support through such events

Delegates from 9 countries are participating in the flower show. Eighty stalls have been placed in Saramsa Garden, spread over 10 acres, with thirty reserved for local farmers. The organizers are expecting around 2 lakh visitors for the florishow which will be opened for public from February 23 to 27.  Buyer-seller meets and conference of international delegates are also scheduled during the event.

We are encouraging our farmers to take up floriculture and horticulture and providing commercial support through such events, said the Governor. He informed that the Union government has formulated a two-pronged agriculture policy which seeks to have a second Green Revolution in Eastern India and to encourage the Northeastern region in floriculture sector.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister Chamling thanked the Union Home Minister for his desire and efforts to come to Sikkim and inaugurate the flower festival. However, due to inclement weather conditions at Bagdogra airport, he could not come but in our telephonic conversation, he spoke to me about he wished to be here, said the Chief Minister.

“This International Flower Show is an attempt to showcase our inherent strengths to attract outside investors mainly for floriculture and tourism. This event will provide a common platform to all floriculture stakeholders for experience sharing”, said Chamling.

He said the event is not only going to be an experience sharing platform, but would also provide the best of knowledge and technology to Sikkimese farmers and officials.

State Horticulture minister DN Takarpa said floriculture has become an important income generating activity for small and marginal farmers of Sikkim through sale of cut flowers like roses and high value cymbidium orchids. We want to promote our floriculture potential through this event, he said.

Horticulture secretary Santa Pradhan in his welcome address, said delegates from Nepal, Thailand, USA, New Zealand, Netherland, Israel, Australia and Sri Lanka are participating in the festival. Different species of cymbidium orchids, coronations, marigold, lilies, plutonium, poppy, rose and other seasonal flowers would be exhibited and put up for sale in Saramsa Garden.

By Anoop Rai