Dehradun, November 30
Farmers in the state have taken to floriculture in a big way and their efforts are bearing rich dividends now. There is a veritable flower boom in Dehradun district, with Sahaspur block leading the pack.

Floriculture revolution has changed the fortune of many farmers here and Uttarakhand has emerged as a frontline state in the cultivation of hybrid flowers like carnation, gerbera and rose. Farmers from the state also bagged the second prize at the “Flower Expo” held in September in New Delhi this year.

Among the Himalayan states,
Jammu and Kashmir is the leader
in the cultivation of flowers,
followed by Uttarakhand, Himachal
Pradesh and Sikkim.

Flower cultivation is underway at Raipur, Vikas Nagar, Kalsi and Doiwala and Sahaspur blocks of Dehradun.

“What has helped farmers is the scientific methodology being adopted by setting up of poly houses with drip facilities. Bulbs of carnation and gerbera can be grown any time of the year and they bloom fully within three to four months of being planted in a poly-house, where temperature and other conditions are maintained,” said D.C. Sharma, senior horticulture inspector.

And with the Central government promoting floriculture through its National Horticulture Board, securing finances is not a problem.

“Farmers can secure loans through the National Horticulture Board that gives 20% subsidy on the project cost. While 20% is borne by the state government’s Horticulture Technology Mission,” said Sharma.

Close to four hectares of land is under gerbera and carnation cultivation in Dehradun and the output varies between 30,000 to 32,000 spikes in a month, while the area under rose cultivation is five hectares which yield 2.5 metric tones per year.

A single piece of gerbera fetches between Rs 3-4 in the domestic market; a great fillip for farmers who could manage very less in the initial years.

Sahaspur block is the clear leader in the state producing 61.80 tonnes/year of gerbera, which earns a revenue of Rs 8-10 crore per year in the domestic market.

The area under carnation cultivation has also increased from 6.3 hectares in 2002 to 40 hectares as of now.

If hybrid flowers are most sought after by growers, then the humble marigold has also staged a comeback.

Farmers, battling degraded land holding, are now growing the Basanti variety of marigold, which is fetching a good price in the domestic market.

At least 50-60 small farmers are growing marigold in Sahaspur Block. In fact, the demand for marigold is quite high in the state, where the Badrinath Temple Committee gives a tender of Rs 14-15 lakh every season.

As of now flowers are mostly sold at Delhi and Punjab markets, however, there have been individual efforts by progressive farmers who managed to penetrate the Thailand market in small measures.

Farmers like G.P. Singh, Manohar Singh Kholiya and Devesh Pundir have taken a lead in floriculture and are motivating others to join the business.

“I am growing carnations in 9,000 sq mts of land in Shankarpur (Sahaspur block), which gives me a yearly turnover of 50 lakh/tonne. Floriculture has bright future and I will be bringing another 15,000 sq mts of land under gerbera cultivation,” said G.P. Singh, who is also the president of Uttarakhand Flower Growers Association and a leading grower of carnations in North India.

Manohar Singh Kholiya grows gerbera in 9,000 sq mts of land enclosed in a poly house in Lakshmipur. The district horticulture department has also helped the farmers in gathering market knowledge at the Pant Nagar Agriculture University.

“As of now, there is no outlet or mandi solely dedicated to sale of flowers. The effort to set up a flower auction centre in Dehradun never came up. Even the Flower Export Zone that was to be created here remains on paper. How can the government expect to enter the export market dominated by big players from Europe then?” said G.P. Singh.

However, despite the lack of full government support, the district might get the first flower transportation van through the individual effort of G.P. Singh, who would soon be acquiring one. This will give greatly ease the problem of transportation and help boost floriculture further.

Dehradun November 30
Whether its field of politics, arts, business or social service women power today is surely doing wonders all across the globe.

One amongst such women working selflessly for the uplift of women is Madhuri Mathur fonder of Mahila Kalyan Udyog Kendra (MKUK) an NGO that works at Dehradun for the unprivileged women of our society to have a better life.

“Forty-six years ago a refugee woman from Pakistan with no family came to me for help. I taught her stitching for living and since then there is no looking back”, said Madhuri Mathur.

Mahila Kalyan Udyog Kendra a registered society facilitates women by training them in knitting, stitching and tailoring so that they are able to earn a living.

At the same time, the society is concerned about the welfare and education of the girl of limited means.

Deserving girls under the guidance of Mahila Kalyan Udyog Kendra staff is admitted to schools and their education, including books and uniforms are well taken care of.

The MKUK society under the banner of “KAR KAMAL” started its two-day exhibition cum-sale of products which ended here yesterday.

From jewellery and designer clothes to tribal artifacts, Doonities found an opportunity to splurge and at the same time enjoy this colourful exhibition.

"It was in the year 2004, MKUK for the first time organised an exhibition cum-sale of the items made its members with a sole aim to raise funds for women empowerment along with the products of other NGO’s in Uttarakhand devoted to various social causes”, said Madhuri Mathur.

To make girls confident and independent, Mahila Kalyan Udyog Kendra started a coaching center where they learn subjects like maths, English and science. Puppetry is the new entry in the innovative modes of teaching adopted by the society.

"Through this medium we help the community at large to think against the social ills like drinking and drug addiction, ill-treatment of women, personal hygiene and environment,” said Shanti Varma ex- principal of Welham girls presently working for the MKUK.

"Stalls, which are run by the NGO’s, are not charged and the overall profit earned by the exhibition is donated for charity. Last year we made three lakhs rupees and this year we are expecting a better response”, added Madhuri Mathur.

Dehradun, November 30
Chief Minister Maj. Gen. B.C. Khanduri (retd) has said that education and awareness can prevent the spread of AIDS. In his message, the CM said the government would organise camps in the state to disseminate information on AIDS, so that doubts can be allayed about the disease.

He has also called upon social organisations to work in this direction. Khanduri added that AIDS could be brought under control if people extend cooperation in spreading information about the disease at village and district levels.

The state health minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank said an awareness campaign would be launched in Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Nainital, which are sensitive districts of the state as far the disease is concerned.

He said for effective implementation of National Aids Control Programme, the health department has set up 47 integrated counseling centres where patients can get free counselling and testing facilities.

Further, to mark the World AIDS day tomorrow, the State AIDS Control Society would organize several programmes aimed at generating awareness about the disease. An AIDS awareness rally would be held in which people different walks of life would participate.

The rally would commence from Meedo Grant Hotel and move to Gandhi park, where it would be joined by schoolchildren. A live concert would be held in the evening.

Dehradun, November 30
A rally on AIDS awareness was flagged off by tourism minister Parkash Pant here today. The four-day rally, which has been organised by Grameen Evam Parvateeya Uthan Samiti, aims at creating awareness about AIDS and female foeticide. The rally will pass through Haridwar, Bajpur, Rudrapur, Lalkuan, Haldwani, Kaladungri, Kashipur and will finally conclude at Dehradun on December 4.

“We want to make the masses aware about the fact that AIDS patient should be treated like any other patient,” said Sanjeev Pant, president of the samiti.

The rally started today from the headquarters of the samiti on the Subhash Road here. The inaugural programme included plays and songs about AIDS and female foeticide. Sanjeev Pant said that during the course of the rally, volunteers would stage street plays and road shows at various places to spread awareness about AIDS and female foeticide.

“There is a great need that youth should be aware of the ways in which AIDS spreads and should take adequate measures to prevent the spread of this fatal disease,” asserted Pant.

Haridwar, November 30
Amid verbal accusations between members, the third board meeting of the Haridwar municipal committee passed the detailed project report (DPR) of the much- awaited Rs 27-crore solid waste management project.

The project comes under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNRUM) and it was imperative for the municipal board to pass the DPR by the end of year, otherwise there was a danger of the fund getting lapsed.

Health officer Dr. Anil Tyagi presented the DPR prepared by experts. After a debate, the DPR was passed unanimously although some members pointed that their opinion was not sought while preparing the report.

The meeting, which was interrupted many times due to the internal disputes among members, including the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) councillors, saw once again the development issues taking a back seat. Notably, the last two board meeting ended in physical violence between members.