Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

Rotary award for services of TNAU

Staff Reporter

Covai Flower Show 2006 concludes

Coimbatore: In recognition of the services of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) in agriculture and rural development, the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Uptown conferred the `For the sake of honour' award upon the institution, on the concluding day of the Covai Flower Show 2006, here on Sunday.

"The unique position enjoyed by Tamil Nadu State in agricultural production showcases the concerted efforts made by this institute over a hundred years. The university has produced world-renowned scientists, agriculturists, statesmen and professionals in manufacturing and service industries," said the citation.

Huge crowd

Massive crowds thronged the Botanic Gardens of the university to witness the variety of blooms and flower arrangements on display.

A large number of the visitors were children who had come along with elders in the family. People sat in groups on the lawns inside the gardens, chatting with one another, munching snacks and sipping hot beverages from paper cups.

City police personnel assisted the security force of the university in screening members of the public, regulating the crowds and ensuring that there was no overcrowding that hindered movement on the footpaths. Towards evening, the police informed the university authorities that the crowd was becoming unmanageable and the organisers responded by closing entry ticket sales.

Parking

In anticipation of the heavy crowds that were likely to turn up, the university had made arrangements for visitors to park their vehicles at designated locations on the campus, under the control of University security personnel. Scores of visitors, however, parked their vehicles on sides of the road outside the university, causing traffic jams.

A holiday mood prevailed both outside and inside the Botanic Gardens, with pedestrians walking around in groups and making a beeline for the food stalls serving a variety of snacks, tea, coffee and soft drinks.

University workers kept the gardens clean by removing the discarded cups and plates at constant intervals throughout the day.

"Humans have created differences among themselves based on colour, culture, caste, creed and locality, but in Nature there are no such distinctions in the same species," said C. Ramasamy, Vice-Chancellor, TNAU.

Flowers from Ooty

At the valedictory function, he said that imported tulips had been put on display for the first time at the flower show. Carnations placed in geometric arrangements were among the most commercially valuable flowers, with those from Udhagamandalam commanding the greatest popularity.

Flower arrangements in Indian and Japanese styles, besides daffodils and a collection of bonsai had delighted visitors on all three days.

Special floriculture techniques had kept the flowers fresh even on the third day of the show.

"With civilisation becoming oppressive and dreary, people feel that they are being exploited and worry about living precariously. Flowers generate positive feelings and improve health," said K. S. Pillai, District Governor, Rotary International District 3200

K. K. Krishnamurthy, former Dean, Agricultural College at Madurai, was the chief guest.

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