Lucknow: A two-day bougainvillea festival organised by the CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) concluded on Sunday with a prize distribution ceremony attended by UP Governor Anandiben Patel.Addressing the gathering, the governor said, “Flowering plants such as bougainvillea not only enhance the city’s landscape but also contribute to well-being and environmental balance. Plants and trees also support livelihoods and can contribute to the rural economy through floriculture activities.” She added that such festivals help connect farmers with new technologies and improved plant varieties developed under the CSIR Floriculture Mission.NBRI director AK Shasany said, “The institute played a key role in bougainvillea research and the development of new varieties. The festival aimed to promote floriculture and encourage public interest in ornamental gardening.”Dr KJ Singh, scientist at NBRI, said the festival received a large footfall, with the sale of bougainvillea plants among the main attractions. The participants included govt institutions, private nurseries and individual gardeners.A total of 51 prizes were awarded, including 20 first prizes, 17 second prizes and 14 third prizes. Savni Yadav of Kursi Road won three first prizes, the highest in the individual category. The Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) vice-chairperson and Dr Purnima Singh of Gomti Nagar secured two first prizes each.In the trophy categories, the Director’s Trophy (individual) went to Dr Purnima Singh, while the institutional category was won by LDA. The Director General’s Trophy for the highest overall score was jointly awarded to Dr Purnima Singh and LDA.Among those present were Prabodh Kumar Trivedi, former director of CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants and Bhaskar Narayan, director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research.
