Annual Flower Show cum Floritech Startup Conclave Held at CSIR-IIIM Jammu
JAMMU, March 9, 2025 – The CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu, successfully hosted its Annual Flower Show cum Floritech Startup Conclave at its main campus today. The event brought together floriculture startups, farmers, researchers, and enthusiasts to celebrate nature, share knowledge, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
Dr. Ashutosh Gupta, Principal & Dean, Government Medical College, Jammu, was the chief guest, while Dr. C. L. Sharma, Director, Horticulture, Jammu, attended as the guest of honor. The event was presided over by Dr. Zabeer Ahmed, Director, CSIR-IIIM. Their insights and encouragement set the tone for an inspiring and collaborative event.
Call for Collaboration in Floriculture
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ashutosh Gupta emphasized that flower shows are not just about showcasing floral varieties and byproducts but also serve as a platform for various sections of society to come together and build collaborative initiatives. He commended the organizers for their efforts in advancing the Floriculture Mission of CSIR and called for closer institutional collaborations, in line with the vision of Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.
Dr. C. L. Sharma, in his address, lauded the institute’s efforts in reviving this significant initiative and highlighted various schemes of the J&K government aimed at supporting flower growers and floritech startups.
In his presidential address, Dr. Zabeer Ahmed underscored CSIR-IIIM’s pioneering role in pre-clinical drug discovery for diseases like cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s. He noted that under the mentorship of Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, CSIR-IIIM has been spearheading societal missions such as the CSIR Aroma Mission and the CSIR Floriculture Mission in Jammu & Kashmir.
“This year, the Flower Show was unique as it also hosted a two-day Floritech Startup Conclave, where around 130 innovators and young entrepreneurs received specialized training in the floriculture sector,” Dr. Ahmed said. He highlighted how floriculture plays a crucial role in improving rural livelihoods and strengthening the regional economy.
Showcasing Innovation and Creativity
Dr. Dhiraj Vyas, Senior Principal Scientist & Head of the Plant Sciences and Agrotechnology Division (PSA), CSIR-IIIM, welcomed the guests and emphasized the overwhelming response from participants and visitors. The Flower Stall Exhibition featured a diverse range of flowers, innovative gardening techniques, and artistic floral arrangements, drawing appreciation from experts and attendees alike. The Floriculture Farmers Conclave served as a valuable platform for agronomists, industry professionals, and farmers to discuss modern cultivation techniques, value addition, and government initiatives for rural development.
Recognizing Excellence in Floriculture
The event concluded with the prize distribution ceremony, recognizing outstanding contributions in floriculture.
- Dr. K. Ganpaty Memorial Trophy (Best Garden & Lawn – Civilian): Devanshy Gulati
- Dr. I.C. Chopra Memorial Trophy (Best Garden & Lawn – Services): Lt. Col. T.S. Arora, Sunjawan Cantt
- DG, BSF Running Trophy (Best Flag Staff House): Topi Bangla, Satwari Cantt, Jammu
- World Wide Fund Rolling Trophy (Best Maintained Public Park & Garden): Bagh-e-Bahu, Jammu
- Col. R.N. Chopra Memorial Trophy (Best Performance in Floral Painting – Educational Institution): APS, Nagrota
- Gen. K.V. Krishna Rao Running Trophy (Best Garden & Lawn – Armed Forces): Station HQ, Sunjwan
In the Floral Painting Competition, young artists showcased their creativity:
- Group I (Age 5-8):
- 1st: Bavanya Mathur (APS Nagrota)
- 2nd: Viaan Bhat (GLS Public School)
- 3rd: Atharv Soni (RRL High School)
- Consolation: Royina (RRL High School), Harshit (JK Montessori), Pihu Luthra (Daffodil Convent), Shreya Gupta (Heritage School), Anaysha Gupta (Presentation Convent)
- Group II (Age 9-12):
- 1st: Sharanya Mathur (APS Nagrota)
- 2nd: Pihu Gautam (RRL High School)
- 3rd: Sanchaari (APS)
- Consolation: Alishba Ahmed, Neha Rajput, Mrigakshi Kumari (RRL High School), Adwita Singh (APS Nagrota)
- Group III (Age 13-16):
- 1st: Neha Sharma (APS Nagrota)
- 2nd: Dhwani Jakhotra (DPS Jammu)
- 3rd: Kavita Arora (APS)
- Consolation: Vasundhra Jamwal (KC Public School), Manya Bhardwaj (Activity School), Aradhya (DPS Jammu)
Encouraging Future Innovations
The Floriculture Farmers Conclave provided farmers with insights into emerging trends, advanced cultivation techniques, and business opportunities in the floriculture sector. Experts highlighted CSIR-IIIM’s contributions to initiatives such as the Aroma Mission and the Purple Revolution, which have significantly boosted farmers’ incomes across Jammu & Kashmir.
Er. Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist & Head RMBD&IST and Head IIIM (Branch) Srinagar, also addressed the gathering, while Dr. Shahid Rasool, Nodal Scientist and Coordinator of the Floritech Startup Conclave, presented the formal vote of thanks.
The event reaffirmed CSIR-IIIM’s commitment to advancing innovation in floriculture and strengthening its role in supporting the rural economy.
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