Kolkata hosts annual flower show

No beauty can challenge the beauty of flower such is the creation of nature and that was proved on Thursday when Agri-Horticultural Society of India (AHSI) opened to all the "Annual Flower Show 2012" in Kolkata.

The Society has dedicated the show to Rev. Willium Carey, the founder of the Society on his 250th birth anniversary.

The flower exhibition was inaugurated by West Bengal Environment Minister Sudarshan Ghosh Dastidar and Mitsutake Numahata, Deputy Consul General of Japan.

Narayan Ghosh, Vice Chancellor of Jadavpur University and popular Tollywood actress Locket Chatterjee were present on the occasion as guests.

Speaking about the flower show, S.K Basu, president of ASHI said:" Our Annual Flower Show is the oldest and most prestigious in India. It started in the year 1828. It combines different types of seasonal and perennial flowering plants and features gardens."

"Our effort is to recognize the large contingent of flower and garden lovers in the state and elsewhere," he added."

Flower trader Dulal Biswas said: "This kind of flower exhibition promotes and increases the demand of flowers and that helps us in our business."

Mizoram and Meghalaya are the two states that participated in the flower competition.

The Annual Flower show showcases more than 20 different classes and nearly 200 sections covering palms, ferns, ornamental, cacti, succulents, vegetables, fruits, herbal plants, roses and gladioli.

There will also be competition in formations and different presents - flower in pot, cut flowers, table decorations with flowers, feature gardens and vegetable competition.

"We want to promote it not only in West Bengal but also in India and our target is to turn this show into international flower show," said Sujit Chakraborty, chairman of the event.

The show commenced on Feb 9 and will continue till Feb 12.

(Reporting by Tania Roy, image by Avishek Mitra)