The three-day Vasantotsav-2026 at Lok Bhavan, Dehradun concluded with grand celebrations. IIT Roorkee won the running trophy while Governor and Chief Minister honoured winners. The festival highlighted Uttarakhand’s biodiversity, floriculture, farmers and green economy initiatives.
Dehradun: The three-day Vasantotsav-2026, organized at Lok Bhavan in Dehradun, concluded on Sunday with great enthusiasm and grandeur. The festival showcased the natural beauty of flowers, cultural performances, agricultural innovations, and community participation, attracting nearly 3.5 lakh visitors over three days.
The prestigious Running Trophy (Chal Vaijayanti) of this year’s flower exhibition competition was awarded to IIT Roorkee, which secured first place by winning awards in 13 categories. ONGC secured second position with awards in four categories. A total of 161 prizes were distributed across 15 categories and 54 sub-categories during the festival.
The winners of flower exhibition competitions, rangoli contests, children’s painting competitions, photography contests, and other events were honored by Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd.) and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami during the closing ceremony.
Governor’s Award Introduced for the First Time
For the first time, the Governor’s Award was introduced in Vasantotsav-2026 to recognize outstanding farmers, women farmers, and young innovators working through agricultural startups.
Outstanding Farmers Category
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Deepak Gadiya (Bageshwar) — First
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Kapil Sharma (Rudraprayag) — Second
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Shubham Singh (Pithoragarh) — Third
Outstanding Women Farmers Category
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Radha Rana (Champawat) — First
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Kavita Mehra (Almora) — Second
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Shanti Juyal (Pauri Garhwal) — Third
Young Innovative Farmers (Startup Category)
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Devendra Singh Chauhan (Tehri) — First
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Pankaj Mehta (Nainital) — Second
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Ujjwal Saini (Haridwar) — Third
Pipe Band Performances Added Grandeur
The closing ceremony was enriched by melodious performances from the pipe bands of the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which received enthusiastic appreciation from the audience. Cultural performances, rhythmic yoga presentations, Wushu demonstrations, and special performances by specially-abled children added vibrancy to the event.
Governor: Public Happiness Is the Greatest Success
Addressing the gathering, Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd.) said the smiles and satisfaction visible on the faces of visitors over the three days represented the true success of the festival. He emphasized that Vasantotsov aimed to promote positivity, balance, and creativity through flowers.
He noted that research-based stalls set up by the Horticulture Department demonstrated how flowers contribute to physical health, mental well-being, and emotional happiness. Highlighting innovation as the key to achieving the vision of Developed India 2047, the Governor praised the creativity displayed in various exhibitions and appreciated the participation of women self-help groups for strengthening self-reliance in Uttarakhand.
Chief Minister: Celebration of Nature and Green Economy
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said Vasantotsav is not merely a cultural event but a celebration of Uttarakhand’s natural wealth, agricultural strength, and emerging green economy. He stated that the spring season symbolizes positivity, renewal, and spiritual happiness, while the diverse floral displays reflected the state’s rich biodiversity.
The Chief Minister emphasized the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern innovation to give local products national and global recognition. He appreciated the contribution of self-help groups, women, and youth as key drivers of an Atmanirbhar Uttarakhand.
He informed that commercial floriculture is currently being practiced over approximately 656 hectares in the state, offering farmers a high-income, low-cost agricultural option. The state government is encouraging farmers through initiatives such as the Integrated Flower Policy, exemption in mandi fees, improved marketing facilities, and beekeeping subsidies.
To enhance farmers’ income, the government has implemented policies worth nearly ₹1,200 crore, including the Apple Policy, Kiwi Policy, State Millet Mission, and Dragon Fruit Policy, providing up to 80% subsidy to promote horticulture expansion.
Dignitaries Present
The closing ceremony was attended by Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi, MLAs Khajan Das and Savita Kapoor, First Lady Gurmeet Kaur, Geeta Dhami, Secretary to the Governor Ravinath Raman, Legal Advisor Kaushal Kishore Shukla, Horticulture Secretary S.N. Pandey, Additional Secretary to the Governor Reena Joshi, Director Horticulture S.L. Semwal, along with several officials, public representatives, and citizens.
